If you’re looking for a budget headlamp, and that’s what any headlamp is under $100 USD, we have a few that we recommend.
[Page updated: 1 June 2022]
Best Headlamps Under $100
1. OLIGHT Perun 2 Headlamp| 2500 Lumens
HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION – for almost everyone. And MUCH cheaper than $100.
Model #: Perun 2
Year of Release: 2020.
Lumens: 2500 maximum.
- Mode 1: 2,500-800 Lumens; Run-time: 2+175 Minutes
- Mode 2: 500 Lumens; Run-time: 270 Minutes
- Mode 3: 120 Lumens; Run-time: 18 Hours
- Mode 4: 30 Lumens; Run-time: 66 Hours
- Mode 5: 5 Lumens; Run-time: 12.5 Days
Weight: 161g/5.68oz (including battery). Lightweight.
Battery Type: customized 21700 rechargeable battery. Can replace with other brands.
Water Resistance: IP X8. All water conditions, even submersible. Survives drops from 1.5 meters.
Excellent for: Running, biking, hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, reading books, everything except caving because no wide floodlight beam.
amazon.com
2. Petzl ACTIK CORE Headlamp| 450 Lumens
THIS ONE IS OUR 1st or 2nd TOP RECOMMENDATION FOR MOST PEOPLE
– See it Here >
Model #: E99ABA – black; E99ABB – red
Year of Release: 2019
Lumens: 450 maximum.
Weight: 90 g. Very lightweight and great for children or others who want the least weight possible.
Battery Type: Lithium-ion rechargeable. 1250 mAh. Swappable with three AAA batteries – no extra case needed. Alkaline batteries. The CORE batteries beat the alkalines by 50 minutes on high power (140 mins vs. 90 mins.).
Battery Life Max Claimed: 2 hours at 100 meters; 100 lm. at 70 m. for 7 hours. Red light and red light strobe.
Water Resistance: IP X4. Hard rain.
Excellent for: Running, walking, camping, reading books, stealth, retaining night vision.
This headlamp replaces last year’s ACTIK CORE 350 headlamp which is just like this except with less lumens. This one has higher lumens and a couple of other nice features. There is a safety whistle in the headlamp strap. It has reactive lettering to help you be seen at night.
Full Headlamp Review Here >
amazon.com
3. Energizer Hard Case Rugged Headlamp | 325 Lumens
Model #: TUFHD31PE
Year of Release: 2016. Made in 2019 also.
Lumens: 325 maximum for 6.5 hours. Or, use the low setting for 22 hours of battery life for emergencies.
Weight: 109 g. Very lightweight.
Lighting Technology: Standard lighting with 6 manual settings.
Battery Type: AA store-bought batteries or lithium-ion rechargeables.
Battery Life Max Claimed: 22 hours on low mode.
Water Resistance: IP X4. Submersible to 1 meters depth. Hard rain – no problem. Also rated for drops from 7 meters without breakage. Quite tough!
Guarantee: Lifetime
Good for: Running, walking, fishing, kayaking, camping, reading books.
If you’re thinking of getting this one, please at least have a look at this one which beats it in every possible way.
Hard Case Rugged Headlamp Review here >
amazon.com
4. Fenix FX-HL60R Headlamp| 950 Lumens
Model #: FX-HL60R
Year of Release: 2016, also available in 2017, 2018 – Fenix usually keeps older models around for a few years.
Lumens: 950 max for 48 minutes with supplied battery. 400 lumens for 3 hours. Longer battery life with Fenix 3400 mAh battery upgrade (reasonable price).
Weight: 180 g.
Lighting Technology: Standard lighting with 5 manual settings.
Battery Type: Fenix 18650 2600 mAh or (2) CR123A batteries.
Battery Life Max Claimed: 100 hours on emergency mode red light or white.
Water Resistance: IP X8. Submersible to 2 meters depth. Hard rain – no problem. Also rated for drops from 1 meter without breakage. Quite tough!
Guarantee: 2 years
Good for: Caving, Running, walking, fishing, kayaking, camping, reading books.
amazon.com
5. Fenix HP25 Headlamp| 360 Lumens
Model #: HP25
Year of Release: February 2012. In 2018, we’ll be dropping this model from the “Best-Of” lists, there are some good ones to replace it. Our favorite affordable headlamp at the moment is the ACTIK CORE – found at the top of this page.
Lumens: 360 max (180 each beam)
Weight: 275 g.
Lighting Technology: Standard lighting with 12 possible manual settings.
Battery Type: Four AA batteries – Alkaline or Lithium-ion.
Battery Life Max Claimed: Up to 9 days at low flood setting.
Water Resistance: IP X6. Submersible. I have had both of mine out in very hard rain and never had any problems with either headlamp. Also rated for drops from 1 meter without breakage. Quite tough!
Guarantee: 2 years
Good for: Running, walking, fishing, kayaking, camping, reading books.
The brightest long-range beam of any headlamp under $100, this Fenix HP25 is an older light, first made more than 4 years ago, but it still is getting great reviews because of 1. It’s tough. 2. The spotlight beam is brilliant.
Almost without exception, this headlamp is going to be the better choice than any Fenix headlamp you can find.
amazon.com