Bike lights are a key aspect of bicycle safety. They let you see and be seen as you ride in town, along dark country roads, or through dimly lit tunnels.
Lights for bike riders are often optimized for various weather conditions, front or rear functionality, and different cycling styles.
With so many options out there, finding the best lights for your cycling needs can feel challenging.
In this useful guide, we will go over some of the absolute best lights for bicycles.
We’ve also included a comprehensive buyer’s guide, to help you more easily determine which lights will be best for your specific needs.
1. Best Bike Front Light: Evolva Rechargeable USB Bike Light
These front bike lights from Evolva have been optimized to offer cyclists quality illumination and user-friendly convenience.
They feature built-in automatic light sensors that make them ideal for anyone who plans to stay on the move as light conditions change.
They’re by far the brightest lights on our list, shining at up to 1000 lumens.
With durable USB powered 2200mAh batteries, they last all day and reach a full charge in around three hours.
They’re also built to IPX6 waterproof specifications, making them an awesome option for all weather conditions.
Finally, these lights implement a high-intensity LED chip and versatile lighting modes.
The only potential downside is in their holder, which some users have found slides around a bit and may require adjusting.
What We Like:
- High intensity 1000 lumen LED
- Powerful rechargeable battery
- Sensor automatically adjusts brightness levels
- Durable IPX6 waterproofing
What We Don’t Like:
- Fitment slides on some bikes
2. Best Rear Bike Lights: Entity RL100 Rear Bicycle Light
This is an extremely safe and reliable bicycle tail light. It exudes bright red 100-lumen LED light from a 50 chip COB component.
With highly visible 180º beams, this rear light is ideal for riding at night in cities where you may encounter multi-directional traffic.
Since this rear light has four flash mode settings, you can easily tailor the lighting output to meet your needs. With a nine-hour battery life on low, this is a great option for lengthy night rides.
Entity RL100 lights are rechargeable via USB, taking around three hours to reach a full charge.
With a secure multi-directional strap and IPX4 waterproofing, this is easily one of the best rear bike lights on the market.
What We Like:
- Red 100-lumen tail light output
- USB rechargeable battery
- Safe and reliable 180º beam visibility
- Secure strap and saddlebag clip included
What We Don’t Like:
- Highest setting may drain battery
3. Strontex Front and Back Rechargeable Bike Lights
This is a durable and compact bike light set that includes both front and rear lights. Each light comes with a 650mAh rechargeable lithium battery and is enclosed in a water-resistant IPX4 housing. With the secure rubber strap, these lights attach easily to any bike.
These lights are safe, stable, easy to put on, rechargeable (USB cable included), and offer four light modes.
They also come with a 12-month warranty. If you’re looking for a great all-in-one bike light set for your bicycle, these Strontex rechargeable lights are worth looking into.
Keep in mind that if these lights become fully submerged in water, they can and will break. IPX4 means water-resistant, not fully waterproof.
What We Like:
- Compact and powerful
- Easy to install
- Secure straps
What We Don’t Like:
- Not waterproof
4. Cygolite Metro Plus 800 USB Front Bike Lights
These bright Cygolite Metro Plus lights have a powerful 650-lumen output making them an ideal choice for metropolitan cyclists.
They can be configured to eight different constant or flashing mode settings and do a great job of providing light on dim paths, along city streets, and in alleyways.
These USB bicycle lights are lightweight, fit securely, and have a quick-release button that makes them easy to take off and put back on.
You’ll get about five hours of run-time per USB charge.
While this is a pricier option, the water resistance, bright output, and premium design of these lights make them worth the money.
What We Like:
- Very bright
- Fast charging
- Easy put on and take off
- Premium design
What We Don’t Like:
- Expensive
5. Azur USB Rechargeable Front & Rear Bicycle Light Set
Another impressive set of rear and front lights, these Azur lights shine at 400 lumens and can be set to various constant or flash modes.
They have an aluminium-crafted water-resistant housing, come at a great price, and give you 18-hour run times per charge on the low flash setting.
Since their beam is visible from the side, they’re also a safe choice for cyclists riding in cities.
If you want a bicycle light set with a rechargeable battery design that comes at a great value, this is a good product to consider.
With that being said, this isn’t the brightest or the most powerful set of lights on the market.
What We Like:
- Long-lasting and durable design
- Lengthy run time
- Easy to use and charge
- Great overall value
What We Don’t Like:
- Not the most powerful option
6. Entity USB Rechargeable Bicycle Light Set
This Entity HL45 400-lumen light set offers cyclists 180-degree illumination. The directional beam design works well for low light conditions and dim paths.
The front light is a small bicycle-optimized headlamp that you can use to ensure better visibility as you ride in or out of the city.
The rear light is bright and flashes red to keep you visible to other road users. You can choose from 6 different flashing and constant lighting modes as well.
This rechargeable set of lights implements USB technology and IPX3 water resistance.
While they aren’t waterproof, they will stand up to fog, mist, and light rain very well.
They clip onto most bikes easily and are reliable and lightweight. In heavy rain, we recommend removing these rights and storing them in a clean and dry place.
What We Like:
- All-in-one set
- Easy to install
- Rechargeable USB power
- Far-reaching illumination
What We Don’t Like:
- Not the most powerful option
7. Topeak HeadLux Bike Helmet light
If you want to have plenty of lighting as you ride your bike but aren’t sure you want to clip and unclip lights to your bicycle all of the time, a helmet light may be well worth looking into.
This Topeak HeadLux helmet light attaches to virtually any bike helmet and provides plenty of lighting for bike rides at any time of the day or night.
In addition to this, it has a double-sided design with a red safety light so that you will be more visible to cars as you ride.
This bike helmet light is versatile, compact, offers multi-angle visibility, and comes at a great price.
It also comes with batteries included, however, some users have found they’re not the strongest.
What We Like:
- Multi-directional bike helmet light
- Front and rear safety
- Comes with included batteries
- Lightweight design
What We Don’t Like:
- Not rechargeable
8. Tobeape Ultra Bright USB Rechargeable Bike Lights
The lights in this set are very durable and able to handle anything you encounter on the trails, rain or shine.
If you anticipate rough or wet conditions, this is a good option.
With the set, you get one powerful 300-lumen front light and one safe and reliable tail light. Both lights are waterproof, with an IPX6 resistance rating.
With a rechargeable battery life that lasts up to 7 hours on low and a durable corrosion-resistant coating, these are the best bike lights for mountain biking or riding in the rain.
The front light clips onto your handlebars and swivels, so it’s easy to aim.
The only downside is that these lights will require some adjustment when you first attach them.
What We Like:
- Front light swivels 360º
- Set includes front and rear lights
- Rechargeable USB design
- Waterproof IPX6 rating
What We Don’t Like:
- May require adjustment when installing
9. Actionale Waterproof Front and Rear Bike Lights
This set includes a bright and broad front light and a clip-on tail light that glows red or white.
With automatic sensors, these lights dim or brighten on their own based on the lighting conditions outside.
Both lights can be charged and recharged via USB and are water IPX5 resistant. If you need a bright and broad front light and a safe tail light for riding in the city, this set is a good option.
The only disadvantage of this set is its short battery life. You’ll only get around four hours of light with the front headlamp.
What We Like:
- Wide front light beam
- Easy to clip on
- Rechargeable USB design
- Waterproof IPX5 rating
What We Don’t Like:
- Relatively short battery life
Bike Light Buyer’s Guide
Not all bicycle lights are created equal. So what should you look for when buying lights for a bike?
It’s important to ensure that all lights for the bike you ride will fit properly and stay in place.
When installing a light on bike handlebars, you’ll want to follow the instructions and make sure that everything is secure and snug.
If your bicycle has curved or sloping handlebars, opt for a light with a rubber strap for a better fit.
Water Resistance
Water-resistance will be key for anyone who plans to ride in the rain or off-road conditions. IPX water resistance ratings can be used to determine the water-resistance of different devices.
IPX3 and IPX4 ratings mean that a device can withstand getting wet to some extent.
IPX5 ratings mean that devices can withstand being sprayed, splashed, or partially submerged in water for a brief time.
IPX6 and above are the only ratings that are safe for full water submersion.
Lumen Measurements
Lumens measure lighting output. The higher the lumens are, the brighter the illumination will be.
If you’re going to be cycling in complete darkness, choose a device that provides at least 800 lumens.
If you need illumination for city riding, tunnels, alleyways, or other low-lit areas, 100-800 lumens will suffice.
Other Considerations
• Charge time and lighting duration – Make sure that the product you choose will provide illumination that will last for the entirety of your riding session. You don’t want to lose lighting midway through a night ride.
• Automatic lighting sensors – Automatic sensors are extremely handy for those who don’t want to stop in the middle of a ride to reset or adjust their equipment.
• Best light for bike safety – For safety, visibility and longevity are key. Rear lighting is essential for cyclists that plan to ride near busy streets or roadways. They ensure that the other vehicles on the road can see you easily.