Longer days, vacations, and the great outdoors — we love everything about summer! If you’re anything like us, you are probably planning your weekend getaways and brushing the dust off your camping equipment.
Gear is the single most important thing that can have a huge influence on how great or terrible your camping trip is. Big, inefficient tools and items can be frustrating to use.
However, selecting the right gear is also not an easy task. This is why we have made a list of the brightest camping headlamps that will enhance your camping experience by many degrees.
What are the Brightest Camping Headlamps?
The three brightest camping headlamps are the Fenix HM60R, HM61R<, and HM65R. Each headlamp meets your brightest lighting demands while balancing weight, ruggedness, and generous runtimes.
HM60R - All-Purpose Headlamp
You should expect irregular lighting conditions while camping. From changing weather to thick foliage, you can go from, “I can see quite clearly” to “I can’t see a thing” in an instant!
The Fenix HM60R, with its ability to shine an incredible 1300 lumens of bright light, is one of the brightest camping headlamps that will light up any trail or campsite you are at.
This all-purpose headlamp, with its multiple modes, also has a long runtime of 300 hours when used on the floodlight low mode. Activate the spotlight to brighten long distances, the floodlight’s neutral white light when you need impeccable color rendering, and the red light when you want to see without ruining your night vision.
Alternate between different lighting modes for different situations such as pitching your tent, walking on the trail, or reading your map. You may be camping in the summer, but temperatures in the wilderness can change quickly.
If you are wearing gloves, the HM60R’s glove-friendly side switch is a convenience that seems small in theory but is extremely impactful in practice. The HM60R also comes with a rechargeable battery and a concealed port with an inner waterproof interface.
Use the convenient headband for hands-free lighting while building a campfire, moving things around in the camp, or making coffee before sunrise. Not only can you move around more quickly with a headlamp, but the HM60R’s headband has a silicone grip, which provides an excellent fit and stable lighting.
Do you like to get in a brisk walk, jog, or run while on camping trips? We built the HM60R with a special feature: a stride frequency sensor. There’s no place like the outdoors to boost your technique and performance.
HM61R - Multi-Use, High-Performance Headlamp
The HM61R’s rechargeable 18650 battery blasts out 1200 lumens over 476 feet (145 m) and lasts a maximum of 300 hours. Not only that, but you can also turn one of Fenix’s brightest camping headlamps into a bright right-angle flashlight by detaching the light from the headband.
Use the magnetic base and belt clip for when you need additional hands-free lighting like baiting a hook for an early morning catch or late-night reading in your tent.
In addition to providing multi-carry options, the HM61R also boasts eight lighting modes. The five white light modes provide different lumen outputs for different lighting situations. The three red light modes help preserve your night vision for up-close tasks or while in the presence of nocturnal animals you don’t want to disturb.
If you are hauling a lot of camping equipment, you’re sure to appreciate the HM61R’s lightweight 3.5 oz. (99.5g). While this powerful headlamp is light, it is also IP68-rated, which makes it dustproof and waterproof up to 2m. So no matter what the outdoors throws at you, you will be prepared with the brightest camping headlamp.
HM65R - Super-Charged Light Sourced
Don’t carry extra battery weight if you don’t need to on your camping trip. The powerful Fenix HM65R’s USB-C rechargeable battery provides 300 hours of light, and the handy battery indicator lets you know when the headlamp is ready for a recharge.
Featuring an independently controlled floodlight and spotlight, the HM65R is the brightest camping headlamp on this list and has a maximum lumen output of 1400 lumens.
The HM65R’s top-tier build quality means it’s just as durable as it is bright. Made from magnesium alloy, the headlamp resists impacts from 6.6 ft. (2 m), and it's waterproof and dustproof. Don’t sacrifice comfort when you need the brightest hands-free lighting. The headband is perforated for a lightweight and secure fit.
Have you ever turned on a light in your pack unintentionally while traveling to the campsite, only to discover later it has a dead battery? Not only is the HM65R one of the brightest camping headlamps, but its clever lockout feature prevents you from turning the light on and draining the battery accidentally.
The brightest camping headlamps make great outdoor times even better. When nothing but the best and brightest will do for nights spent in open fields and under starry skies, rely on these Fenix headlamps to illuminate your outdoor life.