Best Head Torches Australia [Top 4 Picks 2023]

When you need a hands-free lighting solution, a headlamp or head torch is the perfect piece of equipment for the job. Whether you plan on hitting the mountain trails, a spot of night fishing, or journeying to the depths of lesser-known caves, having the best head torch is essential.

We’ve done a round-up of the best and brightest head torches available, plus we’ve covered the need-to-know basics of what makes the best headlamp in Australia.

Best Head Torch Australia – Buying Guide

The latest headlamps to arrive on the market are feature-packed with dazzling LEDs, high lumen output, and lightweight materials. There’s a lot that goes into making the best headlamp in Australia.

What features should you be looking out for in your next head torch?

Brightness (Lumens)

Lumens is the term used to describe the amount of visible light emitting from a source [1], in this case, from your headlamp. It should be noted that while lumens represent how much light a source can generate and emit, it doesn’t necessarily translate to how well it will light up an area. Other considerations such as throw distance (how far the beam travels) and beam type should be considered.

LED Light Settings

Headlamp manufacturers are now developing products with a range of intelligent features ranging from battery life through to different light settings. The average headlamp usually has a range of lighting modes to suit various situations. Usually, they include a spotlight, a floodlight, coloured lights and an SOS strobe light. Having these different settings gives the user greater control over the intensity and size of the beam depending on the situation.

The standard setting of an LED headlamp is the spotlight which allows you to focus the beam at a greater distance. In contrast, the floodlight is excellent for illuminating a larger immediate area, such as when you need to change a tyre in the dark or pitch a tent. Coloured beams are also beneficial when camping as it’s easier for eyes to adjust from red or green light to darkness, plus you won’t be accidentally blinding any of your camping buddies.

Battery

Head torches come with either a rechargeable Lithium-ion battery or disposable lead-acid battery. Many recent models feature a USB-rechargeable battery which has its advantages, such as lifespan and energy density [2]. However, if you’re going to be spending an extended time in the great outdoors, you either need a backup battery or a place to charge it up.

Weight

It’s a given you don’t want to have a heady headlamp weighing you down on a long trip. It’ll be distracting and cause unnecessary discomfort.

A lightweight headlamp is usually made from plastic and requires fewer or smaller batteries. However, when you get into the more professional range of headlamps, you’ll find for the sake of durability, they are made with an aluminium casing to handle any accidental impacts or drops.

Comfort

The overall weight also plays into the comfort of wearing a headlamp, but you should also consider the straps and weight distribution. Lightweight headlamps usually have a strap that runs around the sides of the head, and more heavy-duty models have an additional strap that connects at the front and back and runs across the top of your head. This allows for better support of a heavier lamp. This strap style is also best for those embarking on any extreme adventuring like rock climbing, caving or mountaineering.

Do you know which is the most powerful head torch in Australia? Check our article to find the answer.

With all of this in mind, let’s get stuck into the head torches review.

Best Head Torch Reviews Australia

Finally, we’ve arrived at the juicy bit of the article, the head torch reviews. We’ll go through the top four models and explain why these are the best on the market.

Fenix headlamps have an unrivalled fit and finish and are an essential piece of equipment for avid adventurers. Rated at 4.7 stars out of 5 by more than 400 people on Amazon.com.au goes a long way to show how much people love this head torch.

What sets it apart from its competitors on this list is the addition of the powerful CREE XM-L2 T6 type LED bulb. It gives out neutral white light and is very effective when throwing out brightness while using less power. The total lifespan of the CREE LED is an impressive 50,000+ hours.

It has a one-switch button where you can toggle through the five brightness levels plus the red light alert setting and has a beam throw of 116m. Speaking of brightness, let’s look at the output and battery life at each of the five settings.

• 950 Lumens – 48 minutes runtime
• 400 Lumens – 3 hours runtime
• 150 lumens – 10 hours runtime
• 50 lumens – 29 hours runtime
• 5 Lumens –  100 hours runtime
• 1 Lumen – 100 hours runtime (red light mode)

As with all other models on the list, it has a USB-rechargeable 18650 Li-ion battery and is easy to plug in charge before you head off on your next outing. It can also be used in the rain and submerged in up to 2m of water, plus it offers 1m impact resistance.

As we’ve mentioned, Fenix headlamps are known for their function, fit and finish, and this model is no exception. Whether you plan on going trail running, spelunking, camping or cycling, this headlamp will ensure you can see exactly where you’re going and what you’re doing.

It’s equipped with both a spotlight and floodlight. The spotlight has an output of 1000 lumens, and the beam throw is 163m, whereas the floodlight illuminates a wider area with a soft, even beam and has an output of 400 lumens and a beam throw distance of 55m. You can easily switch between the two modes or use both at once with the dual-switch buttons. Additionally, you can change the angle of the beam by up to 60° so you can position it exactly where you need it.

The HM65R is made from lightweight magnesium alloy and weighs 147g including the headband and battery. The headband is designed with comfort in mind and also features reflective safety detailing. Even if you do accidentally drop your headlamp, you’ll have peace of mind knowing it’s safe when submerged in water up to 2m for a maximum time of 30 minutes.

This headlamp runs off a rechargeable 3500mAh 18650 battery that offers a long run time and is easily recharged with the USB-C port.

The Olight Perun 2 is unique because it bridges the gap between a traditional flashlight and a headlamp and is perfect for anyone who wants to utilise the benefits of both options.

This headlamp offers multiple operating settings which can be changed with the click of just one button. At its maximum operating capacity AKA Turbo Mode it provides an output of 2,500 lumens. Although, after about two minutes, it dials down to 800 lumens to combat heat production.

It boasts a maximum throw distance of 166m and has various energy operating modes to help preserve battery life:

• 500 lumens – 4.5 hours runtime
• 120 lumens – 18 hours runtime
• 30 lumens – 66 hours runtime
• 5 lumens – 300 hours run time
• SOS strobe mode

The other unique feature is the inbuilt proximity sensor, which will automatically dim the light when encountering obstacles such as a book or map; this helps to preserve the battery life and protect your retinas from a super concentrated beam of bright light.

Recharging the 4000mAh 21700 battery is a piece of cake. As with many other current models, it features USB charging, but what’s unique is the MCC3 cable with a charging current of up to 2A, which increases charging speed by 33% compared to previous models [3].

It’s easy to see why this LED headlamp has been awarded Amazon’s Choice for head torches. It features a super lightweight yet sturdy construction and is so well priced you could easily buy one for each family member. It boasts a maximum output of 500 lumens which is more than enough for working around the home or other outdoor activities and offers anywhere from 5 to 14 hours of battery life, depending on which mode you are using. The operating modes available are high, medium, low, and SOS.

This headlamp contains a smart wave sensor which means you can control the light settings by waving your hand in front of the sensor; however, the sensor only reaches 10cm, so you need to be relatively close to the lamp. This shouldn’t be a problem for most.

The XPE lamp beads offer high visibility, brightness and have a long life, making this great for your next camping adventure or finding something lost in the back of the garden shed.

The Verdict

The feature-packed Fenix HL60R is your best bet for performance, durability, wearability, and price. A great option for any outdoor activity or extreme adventure and is one of the best rechargeable headlamps available.

Our best budget option is the LED Sensor Headlamp. While it’s still jam-packed with features, it definitely won’t break the bank.