Visibility is important when it comes to cycling. With the hazards of commuting here in the Philippines, precautions to make yourself seen by oncoming traffic are key to a safe ride. A bike light is needed to make this happen – to make you visible and also to see any obstacle while riding at night. With the several options for bike lights on the market, there are different products available to suit everyone’s needs.
Depending on the type of riding you will be doing, your bike light needs to perform its purpose well. You may need one or more lights to improve your visibility. In this article, we will look into the key factors in choosing the best light for your type of riding. A list with all the best bicycle lights will be provided as well.
Quick List - Top Bicycle Lights
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Table of Contents
Bike lights are available in many shapes and sizes. They also come in different colors, attachment options, brightness, and battery types. To determine which combination of those attributes will suit your needs the most, let’s look at the advantages of each feature and what they are best for.
If you want to commute at night, it is important to have a bike light to illuminate your way or to notify other people of your presence. The measure of a light’s brightness is called a lumen, which quantifies the amount of light that an object receives. Every bike light comes with a lumen measurement provided by the manufacturers.
An ideal bike light should be bright enough to see where you are going while not so bright to blind oncoming traffic. A rating of 300 lumens is enough for commuter cycling in the dark while 1000 lumens for those off-road trails. Some lights have the option to change brightness, which is useful if you do different types of riding.
Bike lights come in different types. There are lights that offer visibility for the rider, while other lights mark where you are even when you are cycling at night. Depending on the type of riding you will be doing, you will need one or more bike light types to aid your journey. Below are the types of lights available for cycling.
Bike lights with higher lumens offer maximum illumination for the cyclist. When you are cycling at night on the road or trail, these lights will make you see any obstacles along the way that might otherwise cause you accidents. Higher-powered lights are much more expensive, but you are assured that you’ll be able to see more.
Even if you practice safety, there is still uncertainty whether other motorists will take account of your safety as well. To facilitate your visibility to other motorists, there are bike lights that can help you be seen better. Just take note that they’re not bright enough to light where you’re going for most night riding. These lights are mounted differently, mostly on the side and back of your bicycle.
Some bike lights operate using disposable alkaline batteries, but with the advancements in battery technology, most bikes are already rechargeable. Some of the most common rechargeable batteries are made from Lithium-Ion or Li-Ion and Lithium Polymer or Li-Po technologies. They are more efficient and powerful without the hassle of changing batteries every once in a while.
Bike lights that are rechargeable come with a micro-USB outlet where you can connect them to your power adapter for it to charge. Brighter bicycle lights have bigger batteries, drain much faster, and charge much longer, so it is best if you have a backup light just in case your main light goes out. Better yet, bring a power bank to charge on-the-go.
Front and rear bicycle lights feature a variety of mounting styles. The different options offer ease of mounting and removal since most lights need to be recharged at home. These also give you space for mounting other gears such as cycling computers, smartphones, and video recording devices.
Front lights are mounted on the handlebars using a clamp or rubber attachment as it points where you are heading. Rear lights can be mounted either on your bike’s seat post using a rubber attachment or on a seat pack if you plan on going long rides.
Sidelights are available but not commonly used on bikes. These lights are usually mounted on the bike seat post for better side visibility or on the wheel spokes, which can emphasize the bike's wheels.
Features make it easier for a cyclist to use bike lights. It also makes motorists recognize that there is a cyclist in their presence, giving you space. These features also help you with saving battery and in prolonging the usage of your lights while on your ride.
Bike lights come in different beam patterns, which can affect how wide or narrow the area your bicycle light will focus on. For commuters riding on roads with streetlights, light with a narrow beam is enough as there are other sources of illumination. Darker roads or trails need a wider beam to enhance your peripheral vision for any existing obstacles and obstructions along the way.
Some bike lights come with different modes such as low, high, flashing, and steady. The flashing mode greatly extends battery life as the light isn’t on all the time. For better visibility, using the steady mode helps. If you are cycling on a highway where cars are a hazard, using the blinking mode notifies them of your presence. Meanwhile, the low light mode is for city cycling with other sources of illumination.
The Philippines' geographical location makes it prone to typhoons all year long. Most of the time, we also experience sudden heavy downpours. Fortunately, most bike lights are waterproof. Not only will it save your device but you can also use your bike lights even when it is raining hard where you would usually experience poor visibility. Waterproofness is rated with an IP standard.
Having a battery indicator isn’t a necessity but it is good to have. While on a ride, having the ability to know the battery level can save you countless trips without illumination. You can also gauge how many hours are left on your lights, allowing you to plan your routes so you can make your lights last throughout your bike ride.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | RockBros Bicycle Tail Light With Waterproof IPx6 | ![]() | Bike Tail Light That Detects Your Movements | |
2 | RockBros USB Rechargeable LED Bike Light | ![]() | A Reliable Bike Light With Adjustable Brightness | |
3 | Arun USB Rechargeable Bicycle Tail Light | ![]() | Keep Yourself Visible All the Time With This Tail Light | |
4 | Giant Recon HL500 | ![]() | Match the Light Output With Your Speed | |
5 | USB Rechargeable LED Bicycle Rear Light | ![]() | Signals Other Motorists Where You Intend to Go | |
6 | West Biking Ultra-Bright Zoomable Bike Light | ![]() | Versatile Light That You Can Use On and Off the Bike | |
7 | Bicycle Rear Laser LED Light | ![]() | Laser-Guide Your Cycling With This Rear Bike Light | |
8 | Rechargeable Bike Light With Horn | ![]() | Notify the Pedestrian and Motorists Through Sight and Sound | |
9 | 4-in-1 Bicycle Phone Holder Headlight | ![]() | Bike Light With a Built-In Phone Charger | |
10 | Tyre LED Spoke Light | ![]() | Bike Light for Your Wheels in Full Colors |
Having a bike tail light is essential during a night out riding your bicycle. What more can you ask if your tail light senses your movements and notifies on-coming traffic? That's what this product does for you. It has a sensor that detects motion, which works as a brake light.
It will notify people around you if you are decelerating. This gives them ample time to give you space, protecting you. It has 3 flash modes, further aiding people in seeing you. The light is rechargeable with indicators that tell when it's out of charge.
With 400mAh, the light is efficient enough to last 20 hours, perfect for your long rides. Overall, it's a functional tail light that will keep you safe from motoring accidents.
Cycling into the night, you will need a reliable bike light to light your way. This light from RockBros is not only dependable but is also adaptive to the environment you are in. The brightness is adjustable, able to output 200-1000 lumens of light, perfect for city or trail cycling.
The battery can cope with the high output of light, lasting for 6 hours, which is more than enough. Coupled with 85 degrees of the light beam, obstacles and obstructions are a no problem.
It has a sensor that detects light, which allows it to adjust the amount of light it can output. And if ever you are caught out in the rain, worry not as it is waterproof, keeping all the internal circuitry safe. You'll surely get a simple device that packs a punch.
Getting the option to have different colors is a good thing. This bike light comes in red, blue, or white, giving your bike light selection a little flair of your personal taste.
The bright colors are enough to attract people's attention, giving people around you an idea of your presence. This makes the trip safer and more enjoyable. Having the option to mount at the rear and front, you can couple this with your front light for better visibility to motorists.
It is rechargeable and durable, with only 3 hours charging until full battery while having IP6 waterproofing in the event you are caught out in the rain. The package is small and light, a perfect accompaniment to ensure safe cycling.
Giant has been and still is a household name when it comes to biking gears. It has produced countless bicycles and knows a thing or two about what cyclists need. In their range of bike lights, the HL500 is built for the city commuter looking to get things done at night.
One of the unique features of this bike light is its SpeedBeam technology, which adjusts light output based on riding speed. It also has a sensor that monitors ambient light and changes light output accordingly.
Combining these two technologies, battery life is extended while making sure you finish your ride safely. It is also waterproofed, protecting your investment from water damage. This headlight series shines brighter, lasts longer, and works smarter.
One of the common causes of accidents in cycling is that motorists don't know where the cyclist intends to go. Aside from having safety lights, this tail light has is capable of giving a turn signal, mimicking a car, to let other motorists know where you intend to go.
The light comes with a controllable remote where you can indicate which turn you are taking. It sends signals to the light and fires up the appropriate light for the signal. It is bright and visible, making it easier for motorists to take note of where they are going.
Take note that this is operated by disposable batteries that can last to 5 hours of usage. But if you are considering the amount of safety this light offers, the downside is negligible. Get this light if you need help in frequenting highways.
Fancy a hike after your bicycle ride? This light features a quick-release bike attachment, making it is easily removable from your mount. The light is now usable as a bike light or as a normal flashlight for your other adventures without your bike.
Equipped with a 300 lumens light diode, it is more than sufficient for city cycling. However, a journey to the trails will leave you wanting with the brightness. It goes with 3 modes of high, low, and strobe, which can help notify oncoming traffic while still seeing your path.
The quick-release system is also good if you want to charge your light, as it makes bringing it inside your house a breeze. Should you need an additional flashlight, this bike light can double as one if the need arises.
This bike light gives the cyclist a laser light guide for added safety. This way, you'll get better recognition from the motorists that you encounter along the road. Having a laser marking alongside your bike will provide the needed distance for safe cycling.
Aside from the laser guide, it also functions as a safety light, providing ample visibility if oncoming traffic didn't see your guiding lights. It is powered by AAA batteries, so if you're looking for something rechargeable, this will leave you wanting more.
The light pattern has 7 modes, giving you options on how other people will perceive your light. Safety starts when you notify people where your boundaries are, and this rear safety light lets them know where those are.
If you are frequenting busy streets with pedestrians, sometimes a bike light isn't enough. That's the idea behind this bicycle light that is designed with a horn function for good measure.
The bike light is capable enough for well-lit areas at night with 250 lumens. Powered by 1200mAh, it will last you 10 hours, more than enough to get you through the night. The added 3 modes give you the needed visibility to notify that you are a cyclist.
The horn is an added feature that gives you an option to call out people on your way. Not only will it save you from accidents, but it will also keep the people around you safe as well. If you value being seen and heard whilst cycling at night, opt for this bike light.
What if you have a bike attachment that can do it all? Look no further as this 4-in-1 phone holder also serves as a bike light, a horn, and as a phone charger as well! The bike light is capable of 400 lumens, perfect for an evening night ride.
With a 4000mAh battery, it will last you a while, even at such a high output of light. It is rechargeable with waterproofing, but it is important to note that your phone must have a waterproof covering of its own.
You can also notify any pedestrian with the bike light's built-in speaker, which can function as a horn or as a speaker for your phone. With all these features, it consumes a lot of battery, so be mindful of your usage. It is truly a bike attachment to has it all.
Looking like a rainbow on the road is a sure way to make you visible when cycling at night. Putting this light on your wheels is a marvel to look at. You can choose between a red, green, blue, or rainbow light- it's like a Christmas decoration riding alongside the road.
The myriad of available colors is also great, you'll be able to bring out your creativity and preference. The light lasts a long while and is powered by CR2016 batteries. The light maybe a little too much for some, but if visibility is what you aim for, you got it with these wheel lights.
More and more people have found the joy of cycling here in the Philippines. To protect yourself and your bike, we have reviewed essential gears that you will need when you start cycling. Check the links below for some of the best equipment you can buy online.
No. 1: RockBros|Bicycle Tail Light With Waterproof IPx6
No. 2: RockBros|USB Rechargeable LED Bike Light
No. 3: Arun|USB Rechargeable Bicycle Tail Light
No. 4: Giant|Recon HL500
No. 5: |USB Rechargeable LED Bicycle Rear Light
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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