For night riding and daytime visibility, you should ensure your bike is equipped with the best bike lights.
There are millions of products out there and they come in various price ranges — you don't want to spend more than you need to. These lights are valued for money, bright and serve their main purpose of making you more visible to other road users.
You can find one that suits your needs best from our list of 4 of the best bike lights reviewed below!
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| KNOG Blinder Road R70 Rear USB Rechargeable Light | Best Overall |  |
| Cygolite Hotshot Pro– 200 Lumen Bike Tail Light | Budget Pick |  |
1. KNOG Blinder Road R70 Rear USB Rechargeable Light
Pros:
- Affordable
- Easy to attach and remove
- Waterproof
- Dustproof
- Lightweight
- USB rechargeable
- Made of silicone
Cons:
- Not shockproof
- Some users mentioned that the attachment mechanism is not reliable
Every bike rider knows the feeling of riding home at night after work and still being able to see enough. Sadly, this doesn’t apply when you are traveling at speed. As a matter of fact, a lot of bike lights available today are more about fashion than they are about function.
My pick from this list is the KNOG Blinder Road R70 Rear USB Rechargeable Light. It might look like a bike safety light that was made for urban cyclists, but it packs some serious power.
The lights are made from high quality, durable materials and are built to ensure they can’t be stolen easily. You don’t need to be an advanced rider either. You can buy the KNOG Blinder Road R70 Rear USB Rechargeable Light and have your rear light mounted in a few minutes.
2. Cygolite Hotshot Pro– 200 Lumen Bike Tail Light
Pros:
- Flashing Mode
- Steady Mode
- Flexible mount
- Made from plastic
- Aero style compatible flexible mount
- Low battery indicator
Cons:
- Not waterproof
- The battery life span could be improved
This Cygolite Hotshot Pro– 200 Lumen Bike Tail Light is a good choice for those looking for a bicycle light at an affordable price, yet strong enough to ensure safety. It has 2 buttons and 6 modes from which you can choose: steady, Zoom, triple Flash, day Lightning flash, steady Pulse, random flash and it can last from 2 to 210 hours depending on what you prefer to use.
3. Exposure Tracer ReAKT Rechargeable Taillight One Color
Pros:
- Brightest rear bike light tested
- Solid construction
- Lightweight
Cons:
- It lacks a button to switch between the modes
- Expensive
This Exposure Tracer ReAKT Rechargeable Taillight One Color is a great choice for those looking for a bike light and are willing to invest more money. It's designed to automatically flare under braking and also, to create a contrast in brightness when the biker is surrounded by other sources of light. It can last up to 24 hours.
4. See.Sense ACE Rear Light
Pros:
- Bright light
- ACE ensures maximum visibility
- Keeps you connected via a smartphone app
- Can last up to 10 hours
- Lightweight
Cons:
- Expensive
- Some users complained that it's not durable
- Poorly designed mount
The See.Sense ACE is a very good rear light from what we tested as it is very bright and takes charge in case of emergency. It's ideal for commuting and you can connect via Bluetooth on the See.Sense app to customize light settings, crash or theft alerts, and other options.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the brightest rear bike light?
This question has more than one correct answer. The world of bike lights is a big one, full of all sorts of functionality and reliability. It can be pretty difficult to find the best rear light for the rear of your bike and your needs and preferences.
However, we understand all of the choices and all of the options, so we’ve made things a bit easier for you. We’ve gathered the best, brightest, and most reliable front lights out there to make sure that you can enjoy the best safety measures.
Just like there are many types of bikes and many different kinds of riders, there are many different bike lights. They have different purposes and different methods of functioning.
Not all of them are made to light up a trail or be seen as far away as possible. Some lights are made for different situations.
How bright should my rear bike light be?
Rear bike lights can add a layer of safety to your ride during those traffic hours. How important this is to you and your state varies as does the distance you ride. Most distances out of town are sufficiently lit that driver light pollution isn’t a factor. Most damages to cyclists are from inattentive drivers, so a rear light should help you stay safe.
There are currently no laws that require rear lights to be of a certain brightness, though some states are looking to put that into place. The generally accepted brightness of 250 lumens (roughly 10 watts) is commonly agreed upon among manufacturers and the Lights and Visibility Lab at the University of North Carolina.
What is the most powerful bike light?
In terms of power, the Cygolite TridenX 1300 is the most powerful rechargeable bike light in the world, with up to 1300 lumens. That’s almost 20 times more powerful than the brightest light on this list.
However, this monster of light is designed for mountain bikers, so you’d probably want to stick with one of the smaller models if you’re just commuting.
Have in mind that you don’t need a powerful light if you’re just commuting to work around some of the country roads. In that situation, you would be fine with a much dimmer, but visible light.
Your best bet is to get the brightest light you can afford.
Luckily, the best bright bike light comes in a wide range of lumen outputs, so you can opt for one that suits your needs at the moment.
What are the best lights for a bicycle?
Lighting requirements for bicycles vary from country to country, but in most countries, cyclists are required to have one rear light and one front light fitted to the bicycle. These lights do not necessarily have to be flashing, and they are normally only required at night.
Most major producers now produce to this standard, using either a hub dynamo — which powers your lights when you are moving — or by battery, which can be more convenient. Some lights can be a hybrid of both: fitted with a battery and a dynamo. These will still be able to power lights even when stationary, at the expense of a loss of range.
There are few lights that provide a particularly illuminating beam or warning. Exposure lights generally deliver a high level of warning in the form of a very bright, high-powered headlight that may match or exceed 500 lumens. This is matched by a very bright tail light.
Conclusion
This guide will help you determine the best rear bike light for your needs and mount it directly on your bike frame. Some of these lights offer a rear light, a front light or they combine multiple modes into one.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| KNOG Blinder Road R70 Rear USB Rechargeable Light | Best Overall | |
| Cygolite Hotshot Pro– 200 Lumen Bike Tail Light | Budget Pick | |