TOP 11 Best Fishing Headlamps Reviewed 2024 with Buyers Guide
Night fishing is one of the single most enjoyable ways to perform our favorite hobby.
It’s peaceful and still, and the perfect opportunity to get some much needed alone time in order to de-stress from today’s high-speed lifestyle.
But there’s no point going night fishing if you can’t see what you’re trying to catch, which is why I’ve decided to review my the 11 best fishing headlamps currently on the market today.
Below the list I’ll include a buyer’s guide, to help you understand what to look for in a fishing headlamp, and to hopefully provide you with the tools you need to make your own decisions.
Without further preamble, let’s get straight to it: here are the 11 best fishing headlamps available in 2024, reviewed.
TOP 11 Best Fishing Headlamps 2024
Cobiz 6000 Lumen LED Work Headlight
Review: This rechargeable headlamp supports hands-free operation, meaning you’re free to continue night fishing without worrying about having to operate it.
Coming complete with four modes, designed for a range of different settings, the user can choose from the most focused setting to the wider and splashier medium and high modes, right the way up to the ultra-bright emergency strobe setting to easily attract help if you get into any trouble.
Completely waterproof and supporting 90-degree swivel ability, it’s IPX4-grade water resistant, and even comes with a waterproof switch that’s safe to use during the rain.
Pros
- High-quality, leakage-reistant wiring.
- 2 year warranty.
- Suitable for a number of different environments.
Cons
- Battery life isn’t long.
- Can turn itself on sometimes, draining the power further.
Takeaway
Apart from some power concerns, if you’re sure you won’t be out for too long, this item is definitely one of the best headlamps for night fishing around today.
HeroBeam Fishing Headlamp
Review: Designed specifically with fishermen in mind, the product features a high-intensity spot beam as well as a broader RED element beam.
Various brightness levels include the ability to turn on strobe and SOS modes, and the easy-off feature removes the annoyance of having to cycle through modes to switch the item off.
Two types of LED are included, as well as a wave activation feature, which allows you to turn the product on or off by swiping your hands in front of the lens: ideal for when your hands have gotten wet or slimy while fishing.
Pros
- Rechargeable from any USB port.
- 3 year warranty and 30 day satisfaction guarantee.
- Up to 30 hours of battery life between 4-hour charge times.
Cons
- It’s not as bright as some competing products.
Takeaway
Unless you require a super-strong beam, this headlamp won’t let you down on any score, and the generous warranty proves the manufacturer’s confidence in their own product.
GRDE Zoomable 3 Modes LED Headlamp
Review: Featuring a lifespan reach of up to 100,000 hours and brightness up to 1800 lumens, this 3-in-1 multi-functional product can be used as a classic headlamp, a waist lamp, or even a desk lamp.
It’s zoomable and adjustable, as well as being hands-free, and offers 3 modes of light: low, medium, and strobe.
Durable enough to last and comfortable on account of the range of head sizes it can fit, this headlamp ensures a relaxing outdoor experience, no matter what the conditions are.
Pros
- Batteries are included.
- Multiple charging options available: AC, DC, or USB.
Cons
- Tends to overheat.
- The rechargeable batteries don’t last long.
Takeaway
Packed with a range of features at a very reasonable price, this is a strong all-rounder and a firm contender for the best rechargeable headlamp for fishing.
Ultra Bright CREE LED Headlamp
Review: 5 light settings can be cycled through using only two buttons, which makes for quick and easy control of this fishing headlamp.
IPX6-grade water resistance combines with a long-lasting battery and stylish, sleek styling to create an excellent overall item that looks as good as it works.
The beam can be angled up to 45 degrees with an easy up and down movement facility built into the product, while it weighs just 2.6 oz, including batteries.
Pros
- One of the least expensive items on this list.
- Durable and well-made.
- Multiple different light settings.
Cons
- The light sometimes runs the batteries down even when it’s turned off.
Takeaway
Despite the low price, this is an incredibly well-designed piece of kit, and owing to how inexpensive it is it’s definitely worth checking out.
DanForce Rechargeable LED Headlamp
Review: Suitable for use in all weather conditions, from freezing, rainy nights all the way up to roasting hot summer evenings, this headlamp from DanForce features an ultra-bright 1080 lumens beam made out of 3 original LED bulbs, designed to shine stronger, brighter, and longer than the competition.
Designed in the USA to meet exacting manufacturing standards, there are 4 light modes on offer that work in concert with the 90-degree adjustable lamp head to easily suit a range of different functions, depending on what’s called for by the environment.
Pros
- Ranges from broad illumination to narrow, long-range beams.
- Sweat-resistant headband.
- Adjustable sizing.
- 7-year warranty.
Cons
- A little pricey.
Takeaway
If you can afford it, this fishing headlamp offers everything you could ever want, as well as excellent quality control and clever comfort-increasing measures.
Black Diamond Storm Headlamp
Review: Featuring one quad power LED and one double power white LED which emits 350 lumens, there are also single power red, green, and blue LEDs which provide dimming and strobe settings, all of which can be activated without having to cycle all the way through the white LED pre-sets.
Power Tap Technology allows instant transitioning between full and dimmed power, increasing longevity, while the device itself is waterproof and rustproof, withstanding immersion of up to 1m in depth for 30 minutes at a stretch.
Pros
- Incredibly powerful on account of the multiple different types of LED included.
- Not too tight on the user’s head.
- Dimming capability is a great feature.
Cons
- It’s one of the more expensive items on this list.
- It’s fairly bulky.
- The operation can be a finicky process.
Takeaway
Assuming you don’t mind having a chunky headlamp on your head that can be a little tricky to use sometimes, this is a fantastic headlamp that more than justifies its higher-than-average price point.
Without a doubt, the best waterproof headlamp for fishing.
UV LED Black Light Headlamp For Night Fishing
Review: With light adjustable into three different positions and the functionality included for completely hands-free operation, this UV-light headlamp comes with 4 dimmable blacklight modes, as well as a built-in strobe feature.
The head strap is fully adjustable to account for all cranial sizes and shapes, while the soft foam pad for the forehead reduces the pain involved in wearing a headlamp for extended periods at a time.
Pros
- 100% customer satisfaction guarantee.
- Blacklight UV feature is useful.
Cons
- It goes through its batteries pretty quickly.
- Installation of the batteries is finicky and could damage the product if performed incorrectly.
Takeaway
Let down by it’s below average battery life, this is nevertheless an exciting gadget that was custom-built for night fishing, and as such performs well.
If it weren’t for the power, it would probably be the best headlamp for fishing in 2024.
Super Bright LED Broadbeam Spotlight Headlight
Review: With an extremely bright and powerful magnifying lens that functions in the darkest of conditions, this headlamp allows the user to choose between a zoomed-in, ultra-powerful beam, or a wider, more inclusive spread of light.
Made from aero aluminum and ABS, it uses either 3 regular AA batteries or rechargeable batteries; and if anything goes wrong, the company will replace the product for you, no questions asked, within a full year.
Pros
- Incredibly bright and powerful.
- Runs for up to 30 hours on AA batteries.
- Designed to be comfortable.
Cons
- Doesn’t always last as long as it should.
- On/Off button has a tendency to fail.
Takeaway
If you’re sick of rechargeable-battery powered headlamps or you need something super powerful, this will suit you. Otherwise, there are better products out there.
Moico 12000 Lumen LED Headlamp
Review: One of the single most powerful headlamps on the market today, this beast of a product comes with 7 LED bulbs as well as a red safety taillight, offering a maximum brightness of 12,000 lumens and an illumination range of 500 meters.
Coming equipped with a USB line and 2 rechargeable batteries, there are 8 lighting modes on offer, including strobe settings, red light, SOS modes, and the ability to make use of only some of the LEDs instead of all of them.
Rated waterproof up to IPX4 standard, the battery box is double-sealed to prevent any chance of water leakage.
Pros
- Can be used in rain or snow.
- Comes with high-quality storage box.
- High-quality elastic band and head sponge pad for adjustment and comfort.
Cons
- None.
Takeaway
The strongest headlamp on the market today, this product from Moic does everything it says on the tin, and then some.
Highly, highly recommended, if you can work it into your budget, and without a shadow of a doubt the best rechargeable headlamp for fishing.
Eoto Light Rechargeable LED Headlight
Review: Four light modes, including normal brightness (which uses 1 LED), middle brightness (which uses 2 LEDs), high brightness, and a strobe setting (both of which use all 3 LEDs) are offered by this product, which also promises a lifespan of up to 100,000 hours.
One button is sufficient to switch between the different modes, while the waterproof and adjustable design supports a head swivel of up to 90 degrees in rotation. The after-sale services guarantee last for an entire year after purchase, too.
Pros
- Can work with either one or two batteries.
Cons
- Won’t withstand immersion.
- Only offers white light.
Takeaway
Although it’s not the most rugged product out there, if you’re a casual night-fisherman this item—which is maybe the best LED headlamp for fishing—will no doubt serve you well, and it promises to last for a long time.
Odear Lie Wang Rechargeable LED Headlamp
Review: Super bright light provided by professional level LEDs offer a wide lamp cut of the illumination range, which can reach up to 2600 feet in total.
The built-in rechargeable batteries provide light for between 8 and 12 hours at a time, which can be extended to between 10 and 16 hours if the user makes use of the weaker light.
It comes included with a wall charger as well as a USB charger, and it’s waterproof enough to survive a rainy day but won’t work if put underwater.
Pros
- Impressive battery performance.
- Long-lasting and durable.
Cons
- One of the most expensive items on the list.
- Clunky, not very streamlined.
Takeaway
If you don’t mind attaching an enormous lamp to your head, this item—which is, for me, the best head torch for fishing—will go the distance for you and provide all the functionality you could ask for.
Be aware, though, that it may not fit into your fishing bag.
Buyer’s Guide Fishing Headlamps
Power Concerns
The products included in the list above all offer a range of different lighting capabilities, which function is most often measured in lumens.
Lumens are a way to measure light output, and given that we don’t tend to use the term in everyday life, it can be confusing to try and choose between all of the different figures on offer.
What I’m going to suggest is that if night fishing is your primary reason for acquiring one of these fishing headlamps, you don’t need the most powerful lamps—those are intended for more heavy-duty situations like cave-fishing way underground or even mining (yes, they’re all fishing headlamps, but they can be used for a number of different purposes).
Generally speaking, any headlamp with more than 1000 total lumens is going to be more than powerful enough to serve you well in any night fishing scenario you’re likely to encounter.
Waterproof vs. Water-Resistant
When it comes to fishing, you’re obviously never very far from water; and while that’s one of the most enjoyable aspects of the whole experience, it can also throw up problems for pieces of equipment, especially those which are powered by electricity and/or batteries.
There’s a grading system in place for water resistance as measured in headlamps: IPX4, IPX5, and IPX6 are the three most common levels. They’re listed in ascending order—that is to say, IPX6 is the most water-resistant of those three.
But it’s important not to confuse water-resistance with waterproofness. While any item in the IPX range is going to be good at keeping ambient water away from the most important interior mechanisms, it’s not going to survive immersion.
If you know how your night fishing expeditions tend to go, you’ll already have a good idea of how much water your headlamp is likely to encounter.
Rain won’t present a problem for any of the products listed above, so just make sure that if you’re in any doubt, you opt for an item which is fully waterproof and can survive momentary immersion, as would occur if it falls off of your head.
Necessary Features
As well as the amount of light they offer, most advanced fishing headlamps these days provide a range of different functions.
Broadly speaking, these are:
- Narrow-beam functionality (which is good for highlighting a single small area, and can illuminate distances a long way away)
- Broad-beam functionality (which is good for throwing light in an arc in front of the wearer, illuminating the immediate environs but nothing much further than that)
- Strobe / SOS functionality (which is good for if you’re ever in any trouble)
I’d recommend that you go for an item that has all of these features included. The SOS function especially is one you wouldn’t want to get caught without.
However, just as important as having the features is the mechanism by which the user can cycle through them.
For example, it’s no good having a button that won’t work under wet conditions if you fall into the water and need to be rescued.
Similarly, you don’t want an item that makes it too complicated to cycle between the modes, as that may impair your chances of landing the big catch you’ve been dreaming of.
Rechargeable vs. Regular Batteries
This is going to come down to personal preference, but there are a few general differences which can be good to keep in mind.
Rechargeable batteries are good economically since you won’t have to keep buying new ones, but they tend to get worn down the more you use them and provide less and fewer amounts of power throughout their lifespan.
In contrast, standard batteries can be relied upon to work to their full capacity every time, but once they’re out, they’re out, and you’ll have to buy some more.
No matter where you’re going, make sure you’ve got an extra set of batteries—be that rechargeable or standard—as a means of ensuring your trip won’t get cut unpleasantly short by any unexpected events.
FAQ’s
What Should My Budget for a Fishing Headlamp be?
Pricing is always a concern with new pieces of fishing equipment, but when it comes to a headlamp there’s no reason to break the bank.
A reliable product will continue to serve you far into the future, and given that you’re only going to use it when you’re night fishing, you don’t need to invest as heavily as you would into an item you use every day.
Unlike other accessories like tackle boxes or fishing vests, the fact that a headlamp is only going to be used in certain circumstances means you need to readjust your standard budget.
There really is no reason you need to opt for the most expensive fishing headlamp on the market.
A solid, reliable model will no doubt prove to be more than enough unless you’re a night fishing fanatic, in which case you probably know how much you need to spend anyway.
I’m New to Night Fishing. Where do I Start?
This is a common query I get all the time. In response, I always direct people to this YouTube video, which gives an excellent introduction into some of the most useful night fishing tips and tricks.
What’s the Most Important Thing to Look for?
The obvious answer to this would be lighting power, but I’m going to take a slightly different approach.
All of the headlamps in the list are powerful enough to suit your needs, generally speaking. None of them are going to let you down majorly.
I think it’s much more important to find a headlamp that’s comfortable to wear.
Given that it’s going to be on your head for long stretches, spend some time among the reviews of the products to see what verified purchasers have to say about the comfort factor.
It’s a small decision now that could save you a huge headache (literally!) further down the line.
Summary
Well, there it is: my top 11 fishing headlamps available in 2024, reviewed and examined.
I also included a buyer’s guide to help you carry out your own research and inform your own decisions about which products are the best fishing headlamps for your particular situation.
Have you got any favorite techniques when it comes to making use of fishing headlamps?
Let me know in the comments section below: I’m always in the market for more fishing information.
