Best Head Torch For Hiking & Camping In Australia In 2024
Despite its relatively low price and small stature, this Everbeam headlamp remains one of the best all-around models I've used. It features motion sensor control, a 1200mAh rechargeable battery, and four separate light modes with different brightness levels.
What's more, it's completely waterproof and boasts 650 lumens when used at peak brightness. This is enough for you to see well over 100 metres on a clear night - more than enough for camping or hiking if you ask me!
Finding the best head torch for Australia can be difficult. There are countless options on the market, and I've found the differences between the top models and sub-standard units to be extremely noticeable.
But when it comes to head torches, price doesn't necessarily correlate with quality. Some of the cheapest budget headlamps perform almost as well as top-of-the-line models.
In fact, one of my favourite head torches ever was a basic one that I picked up for around $10. Unfortunately, these aren't available anymore, but you can find similar bargains on the list below.
My Review Process
I always have a headlamp handy when I'm out camping or doing nighttime outdoor activities. There's nothing worse than stumbling around in the dark trying to collect firewood or locate your fishhook to put bait on it.
I've drawn on my experience to research and find the best head torches on the market today. In my opinion, the leading models should be durable, have a decent battery life, be nice and bright, and have multiple brightness settings.
Every one of the 10 models below excels in one or more areas, and I'm certain one of them will suit your needs!
Despite its relatively low price and small stature, this Everbeam headlamp remains one of the best all-around models I've used. It features motion sensor control, a 1200mAh rechargeable battery, and four separate light modes with different brightness levels.
What's more, it's completely waterproof and boasts 650 lumens when used at peak brightness. This is enough for you to see well over 100 metres on a clear night - more than enough for camping or hiking if you ask me!
This powerful headlamp from Wuben is a little bulky, but it remains an excellent option for camping. It boasts a huge 1200 lumens, is fully waterproof, and has 10 attractive light options.
What's more, it has a large rechargeable lithium-ion battery. This provides up to 500 hours of runtime on the lowest brightness setting, making it an excellent choice for extended camping trips. It's even 1-metre impact resistant, so it can handle tough treatment!
This cost-effective headlamp from Victoper came super close to taking out the top spot on this list. The thing I like most about it is the combination of eight separate lights that combine to give off an incredible 18000-lumen beam!
This is more than enough to light up the countryside while you're hiking, ensuring you can see exactly where you're going.
I'm a keen fisherman when I get the chance, and the thing I hate the most about fishing at night is the way old bait and fish guts seem to get everywhere. To keep my head torch clean, I like to use a unit with a built-in sensor so I don't have to touch it every time I want to turn it on and off.
The best model I've found is this simple Lomom LED sensor headlamp. It's quite basic, but it's also a lightweight option and features a comfortable adjustable headband. Trust me, you won't even realise that it's there most of the time while you're fishing!
The Black Diamond Spot 325 is another small, lightweight model that's suitable for a range of uses. It provides a warm 325-lumen beam and has a maximum runtime of 8 hours on the medium brightness setting. It also has an IPX8 waterproof rating, which means that it can operate for at least 30 minutes when submerged under a metre of water.
The main downside of this model is that it runs off of three AAA batteries. But as far as non-rechargeable headlamps go, it's excellent, and it's a great choice for extended trips where you won't have access to USB charging.
The Petzl Swift Rl is a high-end headlamp, but it's one of the best units I've ever used. It boasts a unique headband design and a powerful beam, and it's created for dynamic activities requiring frequent movement.
What's more, it's a super energy-efficient model, and it runs off a single rechargeable battery. But the thing that stands out for me is the use of Reactive Lighting technology, which enables the torch to automatically adjust its brightness and beam pattern.
This zoomable LED headlamp features a focused beam with a maximum brightness of 1800 lumens. You can use the adjustable lens to focus the beam, and you should be able to see at least 100 metres on a clear night.
The adjustability of this head torch makes it an excellent choice for hikers, especially for walking through the bush at night. But it's also great for fishing and other activities at night.
The Petzl Bindi Ultralight is an absolute skin-and-bones head torch. At just 40 grams, it weighs significantly less than an egg, and it's designed for things like running and climbing.
One thing I particularly like about this model is the 680mAh rechargeable battery. While this isn't huge, it's rather impressive considering the light weight of the entire unit. There's also a tidy adjustable pull-cord strap, which keeps the weight down while retaining maximum comfort.
This Revival Gear torch is a little different to the other head torches on my list. Instead of securing it around your head with an adjustable strap, you can simply clip it onto the front of your cap.
It boasts a tough clip that will prevent it from falling off, four lighting modes - including UV - and up to 10 hours of battery life. The price is a little high for what it is, but I'd certainly recommend considering it!
Now, this Energizer headlamp is small and basic, but it's an excellent budget option that won't cost more than the price of a couple of coffees. It runs off of three AAA batteries, with a maximum running time of just 10 hours.
It's also a super simple model, which makes it quite light. The adjustable headband is comfy, and I'd highly recommend giving it a go if you're on a tight budget or are just looking for something basic for your next camping adventure.
How To Choose The Best Head Torch
Here are a few important decision-making factors to help you choose the perfect head torch for your next adventure - whether it be night hiking or a short fishing trip!
Cost
For starters, decide how much you want to spend. Decent headlamps are available for less than $30, although you may have to pay a little more for a high-end model. There's no need to break the bank here if you're looking for a no-frills model that will get the job done.
Weight
If you just need a simple camping light for going to the toilet or exploring, a slightly larger or heavier unit shouldn't worry you too much. However, activities such as hiking, fishing, or trail running are much more pleasant with a lighter unit.
Light Output
If you look closely, you will notice that all headlamps come with a certain number of lumens. This essentially refers to their brightness - which is different to beam distance.
Some lights boast powerful beams exceeding 1000-lumen brightness, while others only offer a few hundred lumens. But this isn’t a be-all and end-all. A 300-lumen torch with a focused beam may be much more suited to your needs than a 1000-lumen light with a wide, dispersed beam.
Beam Distance
One important thing to understand is that a headlight won't necessarily shine a long way just because it has high maximum brightness. A unit with a low maximum brightness can have a long beam distance if its light is focused.
One feature I really like here is the zoomable beam. It's not super common, but it lets you adjust the width and distance of your beam with ease.
Battery Type
Most modern headlamps are rechargeable, with built-in lithium-ion batteries and USB-C or micro USB charging ports. However, some still use traditional alkaline batteries that need to be replaced periodically. Most of these use AAA or AA batteries.
Battery Life
Pay careful attention to the battery power and battery life of each head torch you're considering. Some long-lasting models have a 35-hour battery life, or even more, while others can run flat in just a couple of hours.
Look for something with a long burn time, and try to get a unit with a battery indicator lamp if you're concerned about losing light.
Durability
I'm always quite selective when I'm choosing new camping gear, as Australia's tough conditions just destroy poorly-made products. As such, it stands that you need to select a head torch that's durable and built to stand up to Australia's tough conditions.
Other Features
Keep an eye out for other interesting features that you might find useful. For example, many headlamps come with a sensor switch, some are waterproof, and some are impact resistant if dropped.
Summary
The number-one head torch on the Australian market is the Everbeam H6 Pro, a rechargeable option with loads of excellent features. It's closely followed by the Wuben H1 LED Headlamp, a popular option for camping, and the budget-friendly Energizer 200-Lumen Vision Head Lamp.
Common questions
Living in the Australian outdoors from a self-converted campervan, Daniel has over a decade of experience in the field that he shares in his writing at CampingAussie. When not travelling, you can find Daniel near the ocean - either fishing, diving or surfing.
*The information on this site is based on research and first-hand experience but should not be treated as medical advice. Before beginning any new activity, we recommend consulting with a physician, nutritionist or other relevant professional healthcare provider.
