Best Headlamps For Hunting In 2024

Our staff of expert hunters weigh in with their picks for best headlamp to get to and from your stand.

All the headlamps have been rigorously tested and rated on things like battery life, lighting modes, reliability, durability and more.

These are the exact headlamps that we use to get to and from our hunting spot in the dark, as well as to help blood trail a deer in the dark, after it has been shot.

What Is The Best Headlamp For Hunting?

The best headlamp for hunting is the PEAX Backcountry Duo Headlamp, which we have reviewed in detail just below along with a number of other great models. Not only is it tough and waterproof, but it has a rechargeable battery with a large capacity as well as a red-light mode that's ideal for hunting whitetail deer.

Best Hunting Headlamps At A Glance

Best Headlamps For Hunting: Reviews And Recommendations

Best Overall: PEAX Backcountry Duo Rechargeable Headlamp

The PEAX Backcountry Duo is a rugged, durable hunting headlamp designed specifically for the outdoors. It features a bright LED light producing a maximum of 1,000 Lumens as well as red and white lights combined with ultra, high, low, strobe and fade modes. 

An advanced feature is the rechargeable battery that powers the lamp for up to 69 hours at a time, rather than replaceable batteries that drive up costs over time. It's also quite easy to use with a single button and simple charging.

Features:

• XLamp XM-L2 1,000-Lumen LED light
• 3600mAh rechargeable battery
• Machined aluminum housing
• 180-degree adjustability
• White and red lights
• Max 69 hours battery life
• IPX6 water resistance
• 2.65 ounces
• Max Beam Distance: 490 feet

What We Like:

• The battery life is seriously impressive on this model, giving you up to 18 hours of bright light even on the high setting. Depending on the settings and how frequently you use it, you might get a full season out of this headlamp on a single charge.
• The IPX6 water-resistance rating is enough to handle rain. That said, if you think you might drop it in standing water, it might not be enough.
• The aluminum housing is durable enough to keep the headlamp running for season after season, but it's still reasonably light weight and comfortable on your head.
• The easy adjustability on top of almost 500 feet of range makes this headlamp versatile for numerous uses. Use a long bright beam for hiking into your tree stand but then keep it low and short for arranging your accessories once you're there. 

What We Don't Like:

• The Backcountry Duo only has white and red light modes, lacking green and blue that can be useful in many circumstances.

Here is a video that shows you all of the features of the Peax Backcountry Duo Headlamp.

If you hunt a lot or in rough terrain or are just tired of flimsy equipment that breaks easily, the Backcountry Duo is your best bet. It's a durable headlamp with a long-lasting battery that gives you consistent, powerful light where and how you want it.

Editor's Choice: Ledlenser MH11 Rechargeable Headlamp

The big draw of the MH11 headlamp from Ledlenser is that it has Bluetooth technology built in. You can connect it to your phone to change the brightness and color settings in addition to setting timers and more advanced programming. For simple hunts, this may be overkill, but on overnight trips that involve multiple positions and activities, it's a great feature.

Aside from the tech, the MH11 is a high-end headlamp. It maxes out at 1,000 Lumens with a beam of over 1,000 feet. It uses a convenient rechargeable battery that lasts 100 hours on the lowest setting. And as for settings, there are a ton, including red, green and blue light.

During our testing of the headlamps, this one was my favorite, but there were more members of our testing groups that preferred the Peax Backcountry Duo.

One of the things that I love about this headlamp is the 7 year warranty.

Features:

• 1,000-Lumen LED light
• White, green, blue and red light setting
• Rechargeable battery
• Max 100 hours runtime 
• Programmable light modes
• Temperature control system
• Bluetooth connection
• IP54 dust and water resistance
• Handheld convertibility
• Max Beam Distance: 1049 feet
• 7 Year Warranty

What We Like:

• The Bluetooth connectivity lets you adjust settings and timers from your phone. This is great for overnight hunting trips as well as other activities.
• The easy switch between headlamp and handheld flashlight makes using it in the tree stand more convenient and precise.
• The MH11 headlamp, unlike many models, has dust resistance. This improves its durability in extreme hunting conditions.
• On the highest setting, the beam pierces over 1,000 feet. That's more than enough for hiking into the woods and makes finding a harvest in dim light a lot easier.
• I love the 7 year warranty.

What We Don't Like:

• On the highest setting, the battery only lasts four hours. However, you can turn down the intensity and put it on red to get a lot more time out of it.

The MH11 is an excellent choice for those who love the newest technology and powerful LED lights. It's hard to find a model that gives you better versatility when it comes to settings and programming, and you can do it all right from your phone. At the same time, you get a long, bright beam for the darkest of nights. 

Here is our video review of the LedLenser MH11 over at the DeerHuntingGuide.net Youtube Channel.

The Ledlenser MH11 is my personal favorite. It is a great light that I have been using over multiple hunting seasons. I love the bluetooth and the red light option for getting to and from my deer stands.

Best Budget: Petzl Tikka Hybrid Compact Headlamp 

The Tikka is a basic headlamp that gets the job done in hunting situations. If you're familiar with headlamps, this one will be a breeze to use with a simple setup that lets you cycle through a huge range of colors and modes. In fact, you get red, green and blue on top of a standard white light.

The Tikka is a hybrid headlamp, which means it runs on AAA batteries or the Petzl CORE rechargeable battery. Battery life is excellent. In fact, on low, you can get a whopping 260 hours of light. That's likely enough to last you a full season of hunting. 

The best part about the Tikka is the price, coming in around $35. Most headlamps that we tested were much more expensive.

It is also super lightweight and compact, which I love, because it takes up very little space in your pack while not in use.

In the photo below, you can see the difference in size between the Petzl Tikka and The LedLenser MH11.

Features:

• 350-Lumen LED light
• White, red, green and blue lights
• Max 260 hours battery life (AAAs)
• IPX4 water resistance
• Weighs just 94 grams
• Adjustable elastic camo band
• Max Beam Distance: 278 feet

What We Like:

• The range of colors lets you tailor the headlamp to your preferences and needs in the field.
• Lightweight and compact, the Tikka gives you hunting-specific features at an affordable price.
• Though it comes at the expense of range and brightness, the battery life is really good, so you don't have to worry about the batteries dying in the field. Plus, you don't have to buy expensive batteries as often.
• The elastic band makes the headlamp comfortable to wear for long periods of time.
• Super compact design fits in your pocket or a pocket in your pack.
• I love the rechargeable option..

What We Don't Like:

• This isn't the brightest light on the market, and it doesn't have an especially long range.
• The Tikka has IPX4 water resistance, only enough to handle some light splashing. If you plan to get stuck in heavy rain, this isn't the best choice.  

Here is my video review of the Petzl Tikka headlamp over at the DeerHuntingGuide.net YouTube Channel.

While the Petzl Tikka is a budget headlamp, it still packs a lot of features into a small, lightweight package. It has just the amount of power you need to see through the woods and climb into your tree stand in addition to the color options to keep you hidden and maintain your night vision. At the same time, the price is affordable.

Best Waterproof: Fenix HM50R V2.0 Rechargeable Headlamp

The Fenix HM50R V2.0 is a rugged all-purpose headlamp that's versatile, compact and affordable. It doesn't have many hunting-specific features like camo, but it does have a lot of features that are good for hunting—and a dozen other activities, indoors and outdoors. Most notably, it has superior water resistance and is even submersible. It's also rechargeable, and convertible to a handheld flashlight.

Features:

• 700-Lumen LED light
• White and red lights
• Rechargeable lithium-ion battery
• Max 42 hours runtime 
• USB-C charging
• Convertible to 90-degree flashlight
• IP68 waterproof
• 2.75 ounces
• Plastic storage case
• Max Beam Distance: 377 feet

What We Like:

• For the low price, the HM50R has a lot of advanced features like waterproofing that makes it submersible up to 10 feet. That's more than enough for a rainstorm while hunting.
• The conversion to handheld flashlight is easy and intuitive, which makes it ideal for use in tight tree stands.
• The HM50R is lightweight and compact, so even if you don't need a headlamp for your entire hunt, it doesn't take up too much space in your kit. Plus, it's more comfortable to wear.

What We Don't Like:

• One of the reasons it's so compact is that it doesn't have the most powerful light, though it still manages to reach 377 feet, plenty for hunting. 
• It comes with a red light, which is great, but is lacking green and blue.

We'd definitely rank the HM50R as the best all-purpose headlamp on our list, only affirmed by the fact that you can convert it to a compact handheld vertical flashlight. If you use a headlamp for more than just hunting, this model could definitely benefit you. At the same time, this is also one of the most waterproof headlamps on the list, so extreme hunters take note.

Waterproof Budget Option: Petzl Aria 2 RGB  Waterproof Headlamp

Petzl is well-known for their professional industrial equipment from helmets to harnesses. They may not specifically make hunting equipment, but for a headlamp like the Aria 2, you know you're getting a quality product that's built to handle tough conditions and serious applications. In fact, despite its relatively low price, it has a lot of surprising features you won't find on other, more expensive hunting-specific models, making it an ideal budget pick.

Features:

• 450-Lumen LED light
• White, red, green and blue lights
• Max 300 hours run time
• IK07 impact resistance
• IP67 waterproof
• 3.7 ounces
• Adjustable elastic band
• Max Beam Distance: 377 feet

What We Like:

• The IK07 impact resistance makes it a good headband for tree stands, especially if you have butter fingers.
• The Aria 2 is very affordable yet has advanced waterproofing that can handle heavy rain and drops in puddles.
• The headband is washable, so you clean off sweat and keep your odor to a minimum. That's an important feature for hunting since whitetail deer can smell so well.
• There are multiple color options in addition to the white light, so you can be stealthier and preserve your night vision.

What We Don't Like:

• 3.7 ounces is a little on the heavier side, especially considering the small size of the light.
• 450 Lumens is low power and may not be suited for unfamiliar, wilderness terrain.
• The Aria 2 is compatible with a rechargeable battery pack from Petzl called "CORE," but this is sold separately. As is, it just comes with AAA batteries, but I would carry a few extra batteries just in case.

The Petzl Aria 2 is an excellent budget option if you still want important features like waterproofing and multiple color settings. You even get impact resistance in case you drop it from your tree stand. Though the light isn't the brightest on the list, it definitely gets the job done if you need a basic model.

Best Battery Life: Black Diamond Storm 500-R Headlamp 

Black Diamond's integrated advanced technology turns the Storm 500 into a simple, straightforward headlamp. This results in a highly adjustable device that you can tailor to your circumstances for maximum stealth. In fact, the elastic band even comes in digital camo with a forest green finish for the LED light housing. This is on top of a range of other features ideal for hunting.  

Features:

• 500-Lumen LED light
• White, red, green and blue lights
• Rechargeable lithium-ion battery
• Brightness memory
• IP67 waterproof
• 4.25 ounces
• Elastic band
• Up to 350 hours battery life on low
• Max Beam Distance: 394 feet

What We Like:

• One of my favorite things about the Black Diamond 500-R is the brightness memory feature. When you turn off the headlamp, it will turn back on at the same brightness setting. In other words, if you have it dim to minimize alerting game to your presence, it won't turn on like overly bright the next time you use it.
• The IP67 rating means it's waterproof against rain and even brief submersion in shallow water. It's also fully dustproof, so it's good for getting into muck and dirt.
• The lithium-ion battery is very efficient and lasts up to 350 hours on the lowest setting.

What We Don't Like:

• The brightness setting is too easy to accidentally turn up or down.
• 500 Lumens is definitely on the lower end of the scale. While it's plenty for scrambling up your tree stand, it might not be the best for tracking a blood trail in the dark.
• It's surprisingly heavy for its barebones construction.

Although the settings are prone to accidental changing, this Black Diamond headlamp is overall one of the best when it comes to ease of use. You can switch between brightness and color settings with ease, and the brightness memory ensures that you keep this setting when you turn the headlamp back on. That's pretty important in hunting situations where stealth is paramount.

Best Lumens: Nitecore NU43 Rechargeable Headlamp

This is a super bright headlamp. With 1,400 Lumens, Nitecore designed it with a piercing beam that reaches around 425 feet. It also has some advanced technological features like a proximity sensor that make it highly versatile and useful in a number of hunting situations and outdoor activities in general.

It's a rechargeable model as well, though we felt the battery life was a bit low. Luckily, this is compensated for by fast USB-C charging.

Features:

• 1400 Lumen output LED light
• White and red lights
• Rechargeable 3400mAh lithium-ion battery
• Max 29 hours runtime 
• Dual-button controls
• 4.1 ounces
• Proximity sensor
• Max Beam Distance: 426 feet

What We Like:

• The 1,400 Lumens provide incredible brightness with a beam that pierces well over 400 feet.  Nevertheless, the proximity sensor dims the light if you get close to things, so you have fewer unwanted reflections, less accidental night-blinding and less startling game.
• You can charge the NU43 in just two hours, so it's less of a problem if you forgot to plug it in the night before your hunt. Plus, it's much more convenient for overnight trips where you have only occasional access to electricity.
• You can change the beam from spotlight all the way to floodlight, making it a versatile option for your entire hunt.
• The NU43 is resistant to falls up to two meters, or around 6.5 feet. In other words, it'll survive if it falls off your head.

What We Don't Like:

• The battery runtime is really low on this model. Even on the low setting, you only get 29 hours. It charges fast, which helps mitigate this problem, but we still recommend charging it before each hunt.
• The NU43's elastic band has a yellow stripe. It's not a big deal, especially at night, but it's not exactly camouflage.

For the deep dark wilderness, you'll be hard-pressed to find a more illuminating headlamp than the NU43. At the same time, its ability to change brightness, either by manipulating the simple dual-button settings or by the proximity sensor, keeps your eyes sharp as the landscape changes. Its 1,400 Lumens may be overkill for a simple walk to your tree stand, but if you hunt in extreme environments or do a lot of other outdoor activities, it's a versatile solution.

Honorable Mention: Bushnell Rubicon 500-Lumen Headlamp

The Rubicon 500-Lumen headlamp from renowned manufacturer Bushnell is an outdoor lighting solution geared towards technical outdoorsmen. It involves advanced features like auto dimming along with a tough housing that help it survive varying terrains and demands. 

Here at DeerHuntingGuide.net we love Bushnell products and use them extensively, everything from binoculars to rangefinders and scopes, so we wanted to include a Bushnell headlamp in our roundup.

It's important to note that this is not a rechargeable headlamp and requires three AA batteries. These are included with the headlamp, but you'll have to replace them eventually. 

Features:

• 500-Lumen LED light
• White and red light
• Three AA batteries
• Max 72 hours runtime 
• 11.7 ounces
• IPX4 water resistance
• Auto dimming
• Impact-resistant housing
• Top-strap design
• Max Beam Distance: 377 feet

What We Like:

• The auto-dimming feature gives you the precise amount of light you need whether you're hiking through the woods, looking at a map or setting up your bow in your tree stand.
• The top strap as well as the rear-battery design make the headlamp highly stable, even if you're moving around a lot.
• The controls consist of two buttons that allow you to operate the spotlight and floodlight simultaneously for different combinations and more versatility.
• The housing is one of the toughest and much more likely to survive a fall from your tree stand than many others on this list.

What We Don't Like:

• The Rubicon is very heavy. Although this does reflect its robust housing that can survive falls, it can wear you down if you wear it for long periods of time.
• The battery life is pretty good, but it comes from AA batteries that you have to remember to replace.
• IPX4 is a low water-resistance rating and good for little more than a few splashes. It's not enough for powerful storms.

Altogether the Rubicon is a good choice for mountainous terrain and hunting that also involves considerable hiking, though it is true that the weight can wear down your neck muscles if you're accustomed to it. The auto-dimming feature gives it an advantage in dynamic environments and is also helpful for hunting applications such as setting up your bow, reading a map or going up in a climbing tree stand. It's tough and can last you many seasons and serve other activities in addition to hunting.

What to Look For In A Headlamp

Whether you are buying a headlamp for yourself or as a gift, you will find everything you need to know about headlamps in our buying guide below.

Reliability

You want reliability in all your hunting gear, but especially a headlamp. It's essential for hunting tasks, whether that's mounting accessories on your bow or blood trailing a deer. 

More importantly, it can be a matter of life and death. If your light suddenly shuts off on an unfamiliar mountain trail heading to a remote tree stand location, you could be lost till daylight, a dangerous situation. Similarly, a good light is necessary for navigating a tree stand ladder without falling off.

Lighting Modes

Lighting modes are what truly separate the most advanced headlamps from the least. Cheap headlamps usually have little more than standard and strobe settings, if that, while a good headlamp for hunting allow you to switch between spotlight and floodlight, various brightness settings, and different strobe speeds. 

Additionally, advanced headlamps have different color modes. A red headlamp is the most common, but you may find green and blue too. While red is the go-to for deer hunting because it's minimally visible to deer and doesn't ruin your night vision, blue and green also have their advantages. Green is also less likely to spook a game animal, and its beam pierces a bit farther than red. Blue is best for tracking blood trails, and it's also good for fog.

Water Resistant

If you hunt regularly, you're going to get wet. Aside from rain, which is common during deer hunting season in most parts of the country, the great outdoors and game habitats aren't exactly dry. From lakes to puddles, water is everywhere, and it's better to have a headlamp that can handle it than worry about avoiding it.

RELATED: Best Rain Gear For Hunting

Since it's ultimately a spectrum, the best way to judge a headlamp's water resistance is to check its IP rating.

What Is An IP Rating?

An IP rating consists of two numbers and looks like this: IP67. The first number reflects dust resistance, so if you only care about water resistance, pay attention to the second one. It ranges from 1 to 9, higher numbers signifying better resistance to water under more pressure for longer periods of time.

For hunting, we'd recommend at least a 4, which represents "protection against water splashed from all directions for five minutes." This is adequate for most light rainstorms. Still, it isn't enough for serious downpours, much less drops into standing water. For actual submersion in water, you need a rating of at least IPX7.

Battery Life

Unlike other outdoor activities like hiking or camping, hunting usually doesn't require your headlamp for hours at a time. Therefore, the importance of battery life can be a bit confusing. At Deer Hunting Guide, we still prefer headlamps that have long-lasting batteries for several reasons.

First, a long battery life means you may be able to use a headlamp for an entire season without recharging it or replacing the batteries. That saves a lot of hassle.

Second, bigger batteries with longer runtimes usually have more consistent power profiles. That means that the light doesn't start to dim as the batteries run out, which can be frustrating.

Third, I like to keep my pack as light as possible and the last thing I want is to carry extra batteries for a head lamp.

Finally, a long-lasting battery can be relevant on a hunting trip, especially if it's overnight. Battery-life ratings are often best-case-scenario, so you can easily drain a battery if you need to use it for several hours on the high setting. The more juice, the better.

Rechargeable vs Alkaline Batteries

We prefer rechargeable batteries. It saves you money and hassle overtime, and it's simple enough to plug in your headlamp after a hunting trip to keep it charged. Additionally, rechargeable lithium-ion batteries provide better power profiles, meaning the light doesn't dim over time as the battery runs out.

That said, alkaline disposable batteries do have one big advantage. It's easier to carry a spare pack of AAA batteries in your rucksack than a charging cable and power bank.

Budget

Like most things, you get what you pay for with headlamps, though there are certainly good deals and values out there. Nonetheless, the budget models you might find at the local convenience store aren't going to hold up when you're hunting. A quality model will usually cost you at least $50.

Best Place To Store A Headlamp

As an electronic device, you want to store a headlamp in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. The area should also be free of dust, debris and water sources, especially if the headlamp isn't dust and waterproof.

You should also consider storing your headlamp in a case or bag. This will protect it from scratches and impacts in case something else falls on it. Plus, you'll always know where it is.

Finally, when you store your headlamp, disconnect the battery. This helps maintain its life and keep the headlamp from drawing power or accidentally turning on.

We keep headlamps in our backpack, or sometimes store them on our bow case when we are bowhunting.

FAQs

What is the best headlamp for deer hunting?

The best headlamp for deer hunting is the Ledlenser MH11 Rechargeable headlamp, though our favorite model overall, the PEAX Backcountry Duo is a good choice as well. The Ledlenser MH11 is impact-resistant and includes red and green lights as well as blue for blood-trail tracking. It's also IP53 waterproof and dustproof, enough for rainstorms and submersions, and has a good battery life. 

How Many Lumens Do You Need For Hunting?

Most hunting applications don't require a super bright headlamp because you want to avoid spooking game anyway. 300 Lumens is often enough. That said, the more remote the terrain and the more hiking you'll be doing, the brighter light you'll need. This could mean as much as 1,000 Lumens. 

What is the best Nitecore headlamp for hunting?

The best Nitecore headlamp for hunting is the Nitecore NU43. Its incredibly bright 1400-Lumen LED light pierces over 400 feet into the darkness, which gives you excellent visibility in unknown wilderness environments. Plus, it has advanced technological features like a proximity sensor and rechargeable battery. 

What color light does not scare deer?

Red light is the least likely to scare deer and other game animals. Part of this has to do with the fact that deer have poor color vision and are in fact red-green color blind. As a result, red light is less noticeable to their eyes.

The same is true with green light, which is another good option. However, red light, which is at a lower frequency, does not travel as far as green light, so it has a slight advantage.

Final Thoughts

The best hunting headlamps will have specific features. When we chose our headlamps, we looked for comfortable, lightweight headlamps that resist water and provide reliable illumination in multiple colors, namely red.

Our favorite is the PEAX Backcountry Duo, but every model on this list met our requirements for hunting and is a solid choice depending on your needs.