Cat Eye HL-EL51 Opticube Headlight

   Good things do come in small packages. This compact light weighs next to nothing yet its Opticube lens technology creates a far-reaching, adequate beam for urban bike commuting. It runs on four AA batteries that will last 30 hours on its high setting and 60 on the low setting. On its highest setting, this light is as far-reaching as the Cygolite (see below), yet its lighter weight makes it easier to take on and off your bike. Unlike some of the other lights we reviewed, it did not come with a helmet mount.  Bottom Line:  This compact headlight is a great value – it will light up the road ahead without weighing down your bike (or your wallet).   

Cygolite HiFlux 200 Headlight

   The HiFlux 200, Cygolite’s newest high-performance LED headlight, is as versatile as bike lights come. It has a far-reaching beam that is more than adequate for commuters riding urban roads and great for mountain bikers navigating trails at night. Its rechargeable battery pack fits snugly into your bike’s water bottle cage and comes with a remote thumb switch so you don’t have to take your hands off the handlebars to switch between the light’s high and low settings.  At its highest setting, the battery will last approximately six hours and at its lowest, it will last 50 hours – so recharging it doesn’t need to be a nightly affair, depending on the length and conditions of your commute. However, if you run out of juice, you can’t run to the 7-Eleven to pick up some replacement AA’s. Bottom Line: A great all-around light for both commuting and technical night riding, this light will save you money in disposable batteries and ensure that your hands stay on the wheel. 

Nite Hawk Emitter Headlight

   The Nite Hawk Emitter “systems” approach allows cyclists the flexibility to purchase only the features that meet their commuting needs. We tested the Emitter Helmet Mount headlight with four rechargeable AA batteries. It comes with a handlebar and helmet mount - both allowed for quick and easy removal. The light has two power settings –10 percent and 100 percent – and lasts approximately nine hours at its high-power setting. We found that at 100 percent, the light was plenty bright for dark, rainy rides while at 10 percent, it was merely useful for notifying oncoming traffic of our presence. Having no middle setting was a little frustrating, but that’s why the Emitter series comes in various makes and models. Bottom Line: Whether you need to see or be seen, Nite Hawk tailors to your individual needs.

Princeton Tec Corona Headlight

   The Corona LED headlight is an inexpensive and highly functional light for urban settings. The water-resistant Corona offers four brightness levels with a blinking mode for each, ensuring that oncoming traffic sees you. The light, which slides
into a pivoting handlebar mount, is easy to adjust and can also be mounted onto your helmet. Its battery pack requires eight AA batteries and attaches to the top tube of your bike, weighing less than one pound. The Corona provides up to 30 hours of light at the highest setting and up to 70 hours on the lowest. With its wide beam reaching a maximum of 28 meters, it’s a great light for being seen but it has limited capabilities for illuminating the road ahead. Bottom Line: For a water-resistant, long-lasting light, the Corona is a good, inexpensive choice.