Properly storing your headlamp when not in use is essential to prolonging its lifespan. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Clean the headlamp: Before storage, ensure your headlamp is clean. Wipe off any dirt, dust, or moisture on the surface. Use a soft cloth or tissue to gently clean the lens, body, and straps.
- Remove batteries: If your headlamp uses batteries, it is recommended to remove them before storing. This prevents potential leakages that could damage the headlamp's internal components.
- Inspect for damage: Take a moment to inspect your headlamp for any visible damage. Check the lens for scratches or cracks, and ensure that the straps are not frayed or weakened. If you notice any issues, consider repairing or replacing the damaged parts.
- Store in a dry and cool place: Moisture can cause damage to electronic devices, so it's crucial to store your headlamp in a dry environment. Choose a cool area, away from direct sunlight or extreme temperatures, to maintain the headlamp's performance.
- Avoid pressure or weight: Store your headlamp where it won't be crushed or subjected to excessive pressure. Avoid placing heavy objects on top of it, as this could damage the fragile components.
- Use a protective case: If available, store your headlamp in a protective case or pouch. This helps to shield it from potential impacts, dust, and dirt when not in use. If your headlamp didn't come with a case, you can always find compatible ones from the manufacturer or third-party sellers.
- Keep away from chemicals: Avoid storing your headlamp near corrosive substances or chemicals, as they can potentially damage the device's materials or battery contacts.
By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your headlamp remains in good condition during storage, extending its lifespan and keeping it ready for your next adventure.
Best Headlamps of 2024
1
Rating is 5 out of 5
PETZL, Swift RL Rechargeable Headlamp with 900 Lumens & Automatic Brightness Adjustment, Black
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GREAT FOR TRAIL RUNNING & SKIING: Designed with a 2-part headband that provides excellent stability for dynamic and intense activities; Ideal for trail running, skiing, mountaineering and more
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AUTOMATIC BRIGHTNESS: Features REACTIVE LIGHTING technology that senses light levels and automatically adjusts the brightness for you; Optimizes burn time, battery usage and visual comfort
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POWERFUL & LIGHTWEIGHT: Swift RL offers 900 lumens in just 100g, making it one of Petzl’s most powerful compact headlamps; Provides up to 100 hours of battery life and up to 150 m of distance
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EASY TO USE: Press a single button to turn it on/off, switch light modes, change brightness and lock when not in use; Features a battery charge indicator and a reflective headband
2
Rating is 4.9 out of 5
Petzl BINDI Headlamp - Ultra-Compact Rechargeable 200 Lumen Headlamp Designed for Everyday Athletic Activities - Orange
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RELIABLE PERFORMANCE: With Petzl's 50:50 Brightness-to-Burn-Time ratio, your Petzl headlamp will retain 50% of its original brightness halfway through the Burn-Time, rather than the 20-30% brightness you get in other brands.
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RECHARGEABLE: Lithium-Ion 680 mAh battery is rechargeable via micro USB port, with charge indicator.
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FULL TILT: Petzl headlamps can be tilted up or down — allowing users to illuminate their surroundings while wearing the headlamp on their head or neck.
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LIGHT FOR ANY ACTIVITY: Three lighting modes: proximity, movement and distance. Red lighting option preserves night vision.
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LOCK FUNCTION: Prevents headlamp from accidentally turning on and draining the battery when not in use.
3
Rating is 4.8 out of 5
Nitecore NU25 400 USB-C Rechargeable Headlamp, Lightweight, Dual Beam, with Red Lighting for Hiking, Climbing, and Camping, with Lumentac Organizer
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BRIGHT LIGHTWEIGHT HEADLAMP- Less than 2oz with headband included, the NU25-400 headlamp is capable of a 400 lumen max, perfect for backpacking, biking, jogging and trekking.
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TRIPLE OUTPUT VERSATILITY - A combined spotlight and floodlight mode, and dual auxiliary red LEDs for variety usage scenarios.
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USB-C RECHARGEABLE - The headlamp is great for travel and daily use. It can be easily be charged on-the-go using a USB-c charging cable connected to any USB power source or use the Adapter for other power source.
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TOUGH OUTDOOR HEADLAMP – Rated IP66 water resistant, bold new aerodynamic unibody design of polycarbonate for excellent heat dissipation.
4
Rating is 4.7 out of 5
PETZL Tikka Headlamp - Compact 350 Lumen Light with Red Lighting, for Hiking, Climbing, Running, and Camping - Grey
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RELIABLE PERFORMANCE: With Petzl's 50:50 Brightness-to-Burn-Time ratio, your Petzl headlamp will retain 50% of its original brightness halfway through the Burn-Time, rather than the 20-30% brightness you get in other brands.
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HYBRID CONCEPT: Petzl headlamps can run on either the CORE rechargeable battery or three AAA batteries without an adapter.
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FULL TILT: Petzl headlamps can be tilted up or down — allowing users to illuminate their surroundings while wearing the headlamp on their head or neck.
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EASE OF USE: Battery indicator shows the battery level each time lamp is turned on or off. Glow-in-the-dark reflector for locating the lamp in the dark. Rechargeable via micro USB port when using with CORE battery.
5
Rating is 4.6 out of 5
Energizer LED Headlamp Pro360, Rugged IPX4 Water Resistant Head Light, Ultra Bright Headlamps for Running, Camping, Outdoor, Storm Power Outage (Batteries Included)
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[SUPER BRIGHT LED]: Illuminates up to 85 meters with a 360-lumen beam of LED light in high mode - This head lamp can light up the room, or the campsite, with ease.
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[MAXIMUM DURABILITY]: Features a durable construction that withstands 1-meter drop test, a shatterproof lens, and a water-resistant IPX4 rated body - making this head light the perfect rugged companion both indoors and outdoors.
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[7 VERSATILE MODES]: Provides 7 light modes: high, low, wide, wide low, red, flashing red, and green. With versatile modes, you'll have optimal lighting for just about any situation.
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[LONG RUN TIME]: Long-lasting and effective with up to 50 hours of LED light in low mode. So you have the reliable power and light you need. The perfect back-up light in case of power outages.
6
Rating is 4.5 out of 5
Energizer LED Headlamp Rechargeable X1000, Ultra Bright IPX4 Water Resistant Head Light, 1000 Lumen Turbo Mode, Headlamp for Outdoors, Power Outage Emergency, (USB Cable Included)
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One (1) Energizer High Lumen Hybrid LED Headlamp with two (2) CR123 batteries
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Hybrid design can be powered by rechargeable lithium ion batteries or CR123 batteries
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Great rechargeable light for handheld and hands-free use for work tasks
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Powerful beam casts 400 lumens on High and 1000 lumens on Turbo
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Detaches from base for use as a handheld LED light
7
Rating is 4.4 out of 5
PETZL ACTIK CORE Headlamp - Rechargeable, Compact 450 Lumen Light with Red Lighting for Hiking, Climbing, and Camping - Black
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LIGHT FOR ANY ACTIVITY: With 450 lumens, two beam patterns (flood or mixed), and several white brightness levels; the ACTIK CORE provides high-performance lighting in dynamic outdoor activities. Lighting can adapt to proximity, distance, or rapid movement. Red lighting preserves night vision and prevents members of a group from blinding each other.
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RELIABLE PERFORMANCE: With Petzl's 50:50 Brightness-to-Burn-Time ratio, your Petzl headlamp will retain 50% of its original brightness halfway through the Burn-Time, rather than the 20-30% brightness you get in other brands.
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HYBRID CONCEPT: The Petzl ACTIK CORE comes with a rechargeable CORE battery. Like other Petzl Headlamps it can run on either the CORE rechargeable battery or three AAA/LR03 batteries without an adapter.
8
Rating is 4.3 out of 5
EVEREADY LED Headlamps Pro200 [5-Pack], IPX4 Water Resistant, Bright and Durable Head Lights for Camping, Hiking, Emergency Power Outage (Batteries Included)
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🟩 5-PACK VALUE: Includes 5 bright and durable headlamps, reliable quality at an economical price.
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🟩 EAST-TO-USE: Convenient power button placement allows easy cycling through High and Low mode.
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🟩 BRIGHT LED: Powerful, bright white LEDs and 2 settings give you control of light intensity, to provide all-around visibility for indoor tasks, outdoor activities (camping, fishing, hiking, running, walking the dog)
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🟩 RELIABLE POWER: Operating on 3 AAA batteries per headlamp (INCLUDED), these headlamps give you efficient, long-lasting visibility.
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🟩 DURABILITY: Featuring a shatterproof lens and an IPX4 Water Resistant rating, these headlamps can handle just about anything you throw at them.
9
Rating is 4.2 out of 5
Headlamp Rechargeable 2PCS, 230° Wide Beam Head Lamp LED with Motion Sensor for Adults - Camping Accessories Gear, Waterproof Head Light Flashlight for Hiking, Running, Repairing, Fishing, Cycling
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230° WIDE BEAM HEADLIGHT & SPOTLIGHT - The new 230° wide beam headlight allows you to illuminate the viewing area without moving your head. Unlike traditional headlights, it has a better view, and you can also use its spotlight to focus on specific areas.
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MOTION SENSOR MODE - LED Headlamp Camping Accessories is equipped with the latest intelligent sensors. Even if wearing gloves, as long as the distance from the device is within 10 cm, you can quickly switch the ON/OFF by waving your hand in motion mode.
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6 LIGHT MODES - press the power button to cycle through, COB light high, COB light low, XPE high, XPE low, Strobe Mode, Motion Sensor, long press the On/Off Button to transform the strobe mode, then the XPE and COB light will flash at the same time.
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LIGHTWEIGHT & COMFORTABLE - The Rechargeable headlamp is composed of soft silicone and an adjustable elastic headband, suitable for adults or children. The product weighs only 2.47oz. Small size design can be folded and easily put into the pocket.
10
Rating is 4.1 out of 5
BLACK DIAMOND Spot 400-R Headlamp, Graphite
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Rechargeable: Powered with integrated 1500 mAh Li-ion battery with micro-USB charge port
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Red night vision has dimming and strobe modes and activates without cycling through the white mode
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400 Lumen max output
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Recycled elastic headband featuring comfortable next to skin Repreve fiber construction
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IP67: Waterproof-Tested to operate at least 1.0 meters underwater for 30 minutes
11
Rating is 4 out of 5
BLACK DIAMOND Storm 500-R Headlamp, Black
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Settings include full strength in proximity and distance modes, dimming, strobe, red, green and blue night-vision, and lock mode
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Brightness Memory allows you to turn the light on and off at a chosen brightness without reverting back to default setting
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PowerTap Technology allows instant transitioning between full and dimmed power
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Recycled elastic headband featuring comfortable next to skin Repreve fiber construction
12
Rating is 3.9 out of 5
Petzl TACTIKKA+ Headlamp - Compact and Powerful 350 Lumen Headlamp, for Hunting and Fishing With White or Red Lighting - Camo
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Compact and powerful headlamp, ideal for hunting and fishing. White or red lighting to preserve night vision and ensure stealth. 350 lumens
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MADE FOR FISHING & HUNTING: Features a red-light mode to preserve night vision and ensure stealth; Available in 3 colors designed to blend in with your environment
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VERSATILE BATTERY: Thanks to the HYBRID CONCEPT design, TACTIKKA + is compatible with 3 AAA batteries (included) and our CORE rechargeable battery (sold separately)
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EASY TO USE & CLEAN: Switch between light modes and colors with one button; Features a detachable headband that you can wash between adventures
What is the best humidity level when storing a headlamp?
The best humidity level for storing a headlamp is a dry and low humidity environment. Ideally, the humidity level should be around 40-50%, as high humidity can cause damage to electrical components and batteries, leading to corrosion or malfunction. To maintain a suitable humidity level, you can use desiccant packs or store the headlamp in a dry box or airtight container with moisture-absorbing materials.
What are some storage safety precautions for a headlamp with lithium-ion batteries?
Here are some storage safety precautions for a headlamp with lithium-ion batteries:
- Properly charge the batteries before storing: Ensure that the batteries are fully charged before storing them. This helps in preventing them from self-discharging or becoming unstable during storage.
- Store at a moderate temperature: Lithium-ion batteries should be stored in a cool and dry location at around room temperature (between 20-25°C or 68-77°F). Extreme temperatures, either too hot or too cold, can adversely affect battery performance and longevity.
- Remove batteries if not in use for an extended period: If you don't plan on using the headlamp for a considerable duration, it is advisable to remove the lithium-ion batteries. This helps prevent them from discharging completely, which could potentially damage the batteries.
- Store in a fire-safe container: Store the batteries in a fire-resistant container, like a metal or plastic battery case, to minimize potential hazards. This is important because in rare cases, lithium-ion batteries can catch fire or explode due to internal short circuits or physical damage.
- Keep away from flammable materials: Keep the headlamp and its batteries away from flammable materials, liquids, or sources of ignition. Batteries can be potentially dangerous when exposed to heat or when punctured, so it's essential to store them in a safe location.
- Avoid mechanical stress: Store the headlamp in a protective case or a dedicated compartment within a bag where it won't be subjected to excessive physical pressure or crushing.
- Regularly check for any signs of damage: Before storing the headlamp, inspect it for any signs of physical damage, such as cracked or swollen batteries, damaged wiring, or loose connections. If you notice any issues, replace the batteries or get the headlamp repaired before storing it.
Remember that lithium-ion batteries should be handled with care, and it's crucial to follow the manufacturer's instructions and guidelines specific to your headlamp model for safe storage.
How to store a headlamp to maintain battery life?
To maintain the battery life of a headlamp, follow these steps for proper storage:
- Clean the headlamp: Before storing the headlamp, clean it thoroughly to remove any dirt, grime, or moisture. Use a soft cloth or brush to wipe down the surface and ensure all components are dry.
- Remove batteries: Take out the batteries from the headlamp to avoid any potential leakage or corrosion. This is especially important if you won't be using the headlamp for an extended period.
- Check battery charge: If the batteries are rechargeable, make sure they are not fully depleted before storage. Partially charged batteries tend to have better longevity during storage. If needed, charge the batteries to an optimal level before removing them.
- Store batteries separately: Keep the batteries in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. Placing them in a battery case or keeping them in original packaging is ideal. This prevents them from getting damaged or draining energy unnecessarily.
- Store headlamp in a protective case: To prevent any physical damage or dust accumulation, store the headlamp in a protective case or a pouch specifically designed for headlamp storage. Make sure the storage area is dry and free from moisture.
- Avoid long-term storage: If possible, avoid storing the headlamp for an extended period without any use. Batteries tend to self-discharge over time, which can affect their overall lifespan. It's recommended to use the headlamp periodically and recharge the batteries as needed.
By following these guidelines, you can help maintain the battery life of your headlamp and ensure it's ready for use whenever you need it.
How can I safely store my headlamp to avoid battery drain?
To safely store your headlamp and avoid battery drain, you can follow these steps:
- Remove the batteries: Open the headlamp and take out the batteries. This step ensures that the headlamp does not have any power source connected, preventing any potential battery drain.
- Clean the contacts: Inspect the battery contacts (metal terminals inside the headlamp) and ensure they are clean and free of dirt, dust, or moisture. Wipe them gently with a clean, dry cloth if necessary. This step helps maintain good electrical connectivity, which can prevent battery drain caused by poor contact.
- Store in a cool, dry place: Find a suitable storage location for your headlamp, preferably in a cool and dry environment. Extreme temperature fluctuations or high humidity can negatively affect battery performance.
- Protect against accidental activation: Some headlamps have a switch lock or lockout feature, designed to prevent accidental activation and subsequently draining the batteries. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to enable this feature before storing your headlamp.
- Use a protective case: If available, use a protective case or pouch to store your headlamp. This provides an extra layer of protection against accidental activation and physical damage.
- Regularly check and replace batteries: Even in storage, batteries may still lose their charge over time. Make it a habit to check the battery status periodically and replace them if necessary. Rechargeable batteries, if used, should be stored according to the manufacturer's guidelines.
By following these steps, you can safely store your headlamp and minimize the chances of battery drain, ensuring that it's ready for use when needed.
How should I store my headlamp when not in use?
When not in use, it is important to store your headlamp properly to ensure its longevity and maximum performance. Here are a few tips:
- Remove the batteries: Always remove the batteries from your headlamp before storing it. This will prevent any potential leakage or corrosion that can damage the device.
- Clean and dry: Wipe the headlamp with a clean, dry cloth to remove any dirt or moisture. Ensure it is completely dry before storing it to prevent any potential corrosion or mold growth.
- Keep it in a protective case: Many headlamps come with a protective case or pouch. If your headlamp has one, use it to store your headlamp. These cases usually provide cushioning and protection from impacts as well as keeping dust or debris away.
- Avoid extreme temperature and humidity: Store your headlamp in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, as excessive heat can damage the battery and other components. Avoid storing it in damp environments to prevent moisture buildup.
- Check periodically: Even if not in use, it is advisable to periodically check your headlamp, especially if it's going to be stored for an extended period. This will help ensure that the headlamp is in good condition, and the batteries are not leaking or corroding.
By following these guidelines, you can help maintain the lifespan and performance of your headlamp, ensuring it is ready for use whenever you need it.