Flashlight vs. Headlamp – 13 Pros and Cons

[Page updated: 9 September 2019]

My main activity is looking for venomous snakes at night in the rainforests of Thailand – I’ve said that a few times here at Headlamps 101 already. I used flashlights for a couple of years, actually 6 years! That said, I’ve switched to using headlamps primarily, and I’m enjoying them a lot more. Here’s more about the advantages and disadvantages of both.

Pros and Cons of Using Flashlights Vs. Headlamps

Flashlight Pros

1. Most flashlights take store-bought batteries, so they’re easy to find and give you emergency power when needed.
2. You can usually stand a flashlight up on the back end and have it point to the ceiling if on a flat surface. We have constant power outages here at our house, so we’re doing that quite a bit.
3. Many flashlights have zoom features, enabling quick zooms which focuses and brightens the beam in a small spot so you can see something much further away. Control of the beam with zoom and wide options is a real plus.

Headlamp Pros

1. Almost all headlamps have rechargeable batteries – good for the environment, and cheaper than buying expendable AAAs or AAs at the store.
2. Using a headlamp frees up both hands – for doing things, or for falling – both of which will help you immensely.
3. Your head doesn’t get tired of having a headlamp on it. Mine doesn’t anyway.
4. At any time you can pull the headlamp off your head and carry it like a flashlight anyway. This resolves three of the four Headlamp Cons below.

Flashlight Cons

1. It is so much easier to drop flashlights. I usually drop mine over water, for some odd reason! I have never dropped a headlamp. I have had one catch on an overhead branch and get pulled off my head though.
2. Heavy flashlights tire the hand out after a few hours. Note – C and D size batteries are completely out of date. Don’t use them!

Headlamp Cons

1. Cannot zoom the beams on most high-quality lights – at least not in 2017 yet.
2. If there are many bugs at night and you’re not moving much, you will get more bugs in your eyes than with a flashlight held lower. You can always take it off your head for a period of time.
3. You cannot turn your head without lighting up the area – so you have to be careful not to blind others standing close-by.
4. Your neck may get tired turning so much – in the case of looking for wildlife in the forest.

Conclusion – Headlamps or Flashlights?

I think the best thing to do is always to buy a headlamp because you can take it off your head anytime you want, and use it as a flashlight – using your hand to point in the direction you choose. A headlamp enables you to shoot photos, handle snakes, or other wildlife, read a book easily, and so many other activities!

What do you use – headlamp or flashlight?

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