The main intention of bike lights is to increase your visibility to motorists and pedestrians. The 5 best bike lights for cycling in 2022 make use of different lighting technologies to achieve functional purpose, appearance, brand recognition, and sometimes all three!
In this article, you’ll learn what the best bike light for your needs is, how to choose the right light for you, and how to install, power and secure them on the bike.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Cygolite Metro Pro | Best Overall |  |
| Knog Blinder MOB Bike Light: LED | Budget Pick |  |
| Lumina 900 Boost Front Bike Light Sabre 80 Rear Bike Light Combo Pack | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. Cygolite Metro Pro
Pros:
- Incredibly powerful 1,100 lumens
- USB rechargeable
- Long-range and extra-wide beam
- Sleek and compact design
- For road and mountain use
- Nine lighting modes
- Secure hard handlebar mount
- IP67 waterproof
- Battery-powered
- Made of plastic
- Available in 4 variations depending on lumens
Cons:
- Not durable
- Mounting bracket too small for handlebars
When you ride with a Cygolite, you're not just getting a bike light. See farther and more clearly at night with proven high-intensity brightness, backed by Cygolite’s three decades of proven expertise.
2. Knog Blinder MOB Bike Light: LED
Pros:
- 1 LED generates 80 lumens for 1200+ meters of visibility
- Target run time is 2.7hrs in high steady, 8hrs in low steady, and 75.7hrs ss eco flash
- USB charge time is 4-5 hours
- Beam angle: 15°
- The short strap fits 22-27mm bars, and the Medium strap fits 27-32mm bars
- It’s effortless to install
- Rechargeable design is convenient
- This bike light is a better choice for long-term use than traditional batteries
- Collapsible design to fit this light in your backpack quickly and easily
- Waterproof and weatherproof which means you can ride through the rain and snow confidently
- Available in 3 sizes
Cons:
- Mounting hook not long-lasting
- Some users find it unreliable and poorly designed
- Only useful for very short rides
If you like bright and stylish things, the Knog Blinder MOB headlight is just the right thing for you. With its light modes, you will always have a good view and will be seen perfectly by other road users.
The battery indicator warns you when you should charge the integrated lithium-polymer battery again via USB. With the included silicone loops, the Knog headlight can be mounted quickly and without tools at your handlebar.
3. Cygolite Metro 700 Lumen Headlight and Hotshot 100 Lumen Tail Light USB Rechargeable Bike Light Combo Set
Pros:
- Powerful USB rechargeable 700-lumen bicycle headlight and 100-lumen bicycle tail light combo set
- Lasts up to 115 hours on a single charge, tail light up to 270 hours
- Exclusive 6-night and 6-day modes provide enhanced safety
- Low battery indicator alerts you when a charge is needed
- Lightweight, water-resistant design
Cons:
- Users reported issues with tail light
- Poor design for the front light mount
The Cygolite Metro has become one of the most popular lights in America, and the Hotshot tail light makes it a great two-piece set.
It's almost as bright as some of Cygolite's 300+ lumen offerings. Its compact design makes it an excellent choice for commuters and road bikers.
4. Lumina 900 Boost Front Bike Light Sabre 80 Rear Bike Light Combo Pack
Pros:
- Combo Lighting System that covers both front and rear
- 7 Light Modes: Low / Med / High / Boost / Walk and two flash patterns
- Easy on and off handlebar strap mount with a quick-release tab
- High-quality glass lens
- Daylight visible tail light with side LEDs for 180 degrees of visibility
- Dust and water resistant, holding an IP64 rating
- Lock mode, perfect for use during storage and transporting the light
- 2-years warranty
Cons:
- Cannot be aimed
- Fragile mounting straps
- Not so great battery life
- High price compared to other lights
The Lumina 900 Boost Front Bike Light and the Sabre 80 Rear Bike Light Combo Pack offer user-friendly, high-performance lighting for road and mountain bikers.
The package comes with a large lamp that provides high brightness and an easy-to-use toggle switch, and it has a lock feature, a strobe feature, and a flashing red light for safety. The rear bike light is smaller, lighter, more durable and more easily mounted on flat surfaces.
The Sabre was designed for high output with a low draw on your battery. It has a pulse setting and can cope with rain, dust, and mud.
5. See.Sense ACE Front & Rear Set
Pros:
- Have 125 lumens for a rear light, and 150 lumens fit a front light
- The runtime is 10 hours
- ACE makes you more visible at riskier moments
- Keeps you connected through a smartphone app
Cons:
Expensive
Not long lasting
See.Sense ACE front and rear sets are very easy to use and bright enough for everyone to see. Most users recommend this light set for its great functionality. It is a little expensive but a good quality product.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the best lights for bikes?
If you bike a lot at night or in the early hours of the morning, you know how vital the right lights are. It is crucial to have the right lighting equipment or you could end up running into trouble.
Most bike lights fall into two main categories: steady or flashing. Each kind has its share of pros and cons, so it comes down mostly to a personal preference.
Bicycle lights provide safety for you, other drivers, and road users. Some states require front and rear bike lights for night riding, so it is best to get into the habit of using them.
The best bike lights for the money are the ones that are easy to move around and easy to see. They should be able to illuminate the road ahead and keep you visible to other drivers. Whether commuting to work or just enjoying the night air, you must be prepared with the right bike lights.
In our opinion, Cygolite Metro Plus 800 USB is the best headlight for cycling.
How many lumens do I need for cycling?
Helmet lights typically include between 70 to 100 lumens, while handlebar lights range from 200 to 500; some even have as much as 1600 lumens. If you are cycling fast with high gear ratios, you will need more lumens.
Price is also a factor, as you’d expect helmet lights to cost less than handlebar lights. This is because handlebar lights need a stronger bulb due to the distance, and they perform better in wet conditions.
However, it is best not to be fooled with the numbers, as too many lumens do not necessarily mean the light is brighter. Instead, you should look for quality light that can reach and scatter light in all directions.
Some lights have specific settings for cycling at night. Others can be adjusted based on the conditions like night, daytime, and rain. These features enable you to switch to the right mode without removing your hands from the handlebars.
How bright should my rear bike light be?
Rear bike lights are sold by lumens, and the lumens are equal to how many candles worth of light one can shine. Rear lights usually output somewhere between 300 and 800 lumens, though the ones that provide 800 lumens aren’t necessary for any road cyclist. This is because they are very bright, and the light they emit is scattered, making them less useful on the road.
Road cyclists should have a light that outputs between 300 and 400 lumens. It will light up the road almost as well as a cheap 800 lumen light would, while not blinding oncoming traffic and letting you have a better view of the road.
What is the most powerful bike light?
The Niterider Lumina Byte is our pick for the best cycling light. It has an impressive and bright 1100-lumen output that works well in daytime and nighttime. The light itself consists of 5 Light Levels plus 7 Daylight Flash Modes. It is one of the most powerful bike lights on the market.
Its battery life is 10 hours.
The Lumina Byte is made of durable materials, including reinforced nylon. It has a waterproof rating of IP68, which makes it a suitable choice for wet conditions. It also is designed to withstand crashes. We recommend using the light as a headlight even if you purchase it specifically for its tail-light abilities. We discourage using the Lumina as a tail light because of its powerful light output and its rechargeable battery.
Conclusion
So what makes a great light? How do you decide which is the best bike light for your situation? You may have a bike that stays in the garage most of the time, so a rechargeable lighting system is a perfect fit. Not only will it save you money, because you can plug it in at night for a full recharge, but you can take it with you while you travel. If you want a bike that you ride year-round, rain or shine, you’ll want a light with a high-quality, durable design to handle all weather conditions.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Cygolite Metro Pro | Best Overall | |
| Knog Blinder MOB Bike Light: LED | Budget Pick | |
| Lumina 900 Boost Front Bike Light Sabre 80 Rear Bike Light Combo Pack | Upgrade Pick | |