10 Best Petzl Headlamps 2025 in the United States

The PETZL ACTIK CORE Headlamp is a versatile and high-performance lighting solution with a maximum brightness of 450 lumens, making it suitable for various outdoor activities like hiking, climbing, and camping. It features two beam patterns (flood and mixed) and multiple white brightness levels that can adapt to different lighting needs, whether for proximity, distance, or rapid movement. An added benefit is the red lighting mode, which helps preserve night vision and avoids blinding others in a group setting. Weighing just 2.65 ounces, this headlamp is lightweight and easy to carry.

The hybrid concept allows users to choose between a CORE rechargeable battery or standard AAA batteries, making it convenient for extended use in remote areas. The headlamp is also water-resistant with an IPX4 rating, providing protection against splashes from any direction. However, the average battery life of 7 hours might be a limitation for extremely long outdoor excursions without access to recharging options.

The single-button operation and LOCK function enhance usability, preventing accidental activation during transit or storage. A reflective headband ensures visibility at night, adding a safety feature for outdoor enthusiasts. Though it is made of plastic, the headlamp's compact design and practical features make it a reliable choice for various dynamic outdoor activities.

The PETZL BINDI Headlamp is an ultra-compact and rechargeable headlamp designed for everyday athletic activities like running and training. It has a brightness of 200 lumens, which is sufficient for most nighttime activities. One of its standout features is the reliable performance with a 50:50 Brightness-to-Burn-Time ratio, meaning it retains 50% of its original brightness halfway through its burn time, offering consistent illumination compared to other brands.

The headlamp is lightweight at just 1.23 ounces, making it comfortable to wear for extended periods either on the head or neck. Additionally, it can be tilted up or down to direct light where needed, and it includes a lock function to prevent accidental activation which could drain the battery prematurely. It also has three lighting modes (proximity, movement, and distance) and a red light option to preserve night vision, making it versatile for different scenarios.

The headlamp is powered by a rechargeable Lithium-Ion 680 mAh battery, charged via a micro USB port, and includes a charge indicator to let you know when it's fully charged. While it is water-resistant, it may not be suitable for heavy rain or underwater activities. The maximum brightness of 200 lumens may not be sufficient for those who require more powerful lighting for extreme outdoor activities. Despite these minor drawbacks, the PETZL BINDI Headlamp is an excellent choice for everyday athletic activities due to its lightweight, rechargeability, and versatile lighting options.

The PETZL ARIA 2 RGB is a versatile and lightweight headlamp, great for various outdoor activities. With a brightness of 450 lumens, it provides ample light for both proximity and distance vision, and the wide and mixed beam settings make it adaptable to different use cases. The headlamp also features multiple color lighting options (red, green, and blue), which can be beneficial for night vision, map reading, and certain outdoor tasks like fishing.

The red light preserves night vision, the green is excellent for reading maps, and the blue is useful for identifying blood traces or enhancing underwater visibility without scaring fish. Additionally, these color modes can be set to continuous or strobe, based on your needs. Weighing just 106 grams, it is compact and easy to carry around, ensuring it won't be a burden during long excursions. The headlamp is both dustproof and waterproof, capable of withstanding submersion in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes, making it durable for harsh conditions.

The single button control allows for easy operation, and the battery charge indicator is a handy feature to keep track of power levels. It operates on 3 AAA batteries, which are not included, and offers three white lighting levels: MAX BURN TIME, STANDARD, and MAX POWER. The headband is detachable and washable, adding to its convenience and hygiene. While its battery life of 4 hours may be seen as limited for prolonged use, and the beam distance of 2 meters might be insufficient for some users requiring extensive reach, the PETZL ARIA 2 RGB stands out with its durability, ease of use, and versatile lighting options, making it a valuable tool for campers, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts.