﻿Hi I’m Gidon from thetechnologyman.com. A head torch is arguably the most useful torch
you can own. They’re useful for camping, fishing, walking and running but they’re also great for
working on the bike or car and general DIY tasks, especially in winter with the shorter days.
I’ve hand picked 16 head torches from all the big brands. I have
budget torches starting at under £20 to more specialised torches that cost over £150.
I’ve thoroughly tested all of them over the last 3 months and scored them in a number of
categories to try and help you choose the right one for you. I’m scoring each head torch out
of 10 in 8 categories for a total score out of 80 which I’ll convert to a percentage.
I’ll choose a winner in three categories: best budget head torch, best running head
torch and best all round head torch. I’ve got links down below to all the head
torches in this roundup for current pricing and further information.
You can also check out my two previous roundups on keychain torches and pocket torches - they’ll
be links on screen and down below. They might also be useful if you’re unfamiliar with any
of the terms I use in this video. If you like my content, please like and share the video,
subscribe to my channel and leave a comment. With that out of the way let’s get started.
First off I scored comfort - probably the most underrated feature of a head torch. How
comfortable is the strap - especially for longer periods of time? How easy is the strap to adjust?
How balanced does the head torch feel on your head? Does it move around during more vigorous
activities like running? I much prefer head torches without a top strap and I also found a
wider strap more comfortable. Some straps also come with silicone grippers that prevent the
head torch slipping with vigorous activities like running, especially when your head gets sweaty.
I wore all the head torches for long periods of time on walks, household jobs inside and out and
for running. Overall I found the Fenix HM65R-T, and Petzl Nao RL the most comfortable. The Fenix
is not the lightest head torch on test at 143g, and has all the weight at the front.
But it has a wide headband and an ingenious Boa-style ratcheting dial to quickly adjust for a
perfect fit. On a sweaty run I did find it slipped slightly sometimes - it doesn’t have any silicone
grippers. But even with gloves on, you can easily tighten the strap if there’s any movement.
The Petzl Nao RL weighs about the same at 145g but has the battery at the back so feels lighter
and better balanced on your head. You barely notice it and I found it the most comfortable
for running out of all the head torches. Its adjustment is also very straightforward but
not as easy as the Fenix to adjust whilst it’s on your head. The Nitecore NU43 also deserves
a mention. It too has a premium perforated wider strap and with silicone grippers is very
comfortable when running and for general use. And although it uses the standard head strap
adjustment it works a lot better than most. The Olight Perun 2 was one of the most
uncomfortable head torches. At 222g it’s by far the heaviest head torch, although its larger
size does give it some advantages we’ll come back to. But as well as being heavy the strap
is a little fiddly to adjust and the strap material feels cheap. Because of its weight,
the top strap does mean you don’t need the main strap so tight but I’d still prefer to
remove this top strap for casual use and that’s not possible - it’s stitched in.
Since I like the Perun 2 in lots of other ways I actually used it in the Perun 2 Mini’s head strap
on a few occasions. This strap does support it but it’s only really suitable for shorter stints.
The Thrunite TH30 V2 is another very good head torch let down by an uncomfortable head strap.
This head strap also feels very cheap, with a non-removable top strap, and I actually
found the rubber mount dug into my forehead - so even though it’s lighter at 169g it was
probably even more uncomfortable to wear than the Perun 2. If you wear a cap these
straps probably won’t be as much of an issue. Next I scored the torches on ease of use. This is
especially important for a head torch since you’re usually controlling it by feel. And if you’re
using the torch for running, easy adjustment is even more important. The Olight Perun 2,
Fenix WH23R, Thrunite TH30 V2, Petzl Nao RL and Silva Trail Speed 5R scored best in the category.
The Perun 2 has a nice large side button and my favourite user interface - a single press to turn
it on, and then a long press to cycle through low, medium and high. But most importantly quick access
to both an ultra-low moonlight mode with a long press of the power button with the torch off.
Great when you don’t want to wake your partner up, or destroy your night vision. And quick access to
the full brightness turbo mode with a double press of the power button with the torch on or off.
The Perun 2 and Perun 2 Mini also have Olight’s magnetic charging which is super convenient
for a household torch - you only need to get it close to the charger and it snaps into position.
It means I very rarely forget to charge my Olight torches with this feature.
But, it is a proprietary connection so you’re stuck without the Olight cable.
The Thrunite TH30 V2 has an almost identical user interface and the side power button is also large
and easy to locate. The Petzl and Silva are dedicated running torches and have a simple
interface with just 3 modes that you cycle through each time you press the power button.
The Petzl cycles through to off, whereas the Silva needs a long press to turn it off which
I prefer. A few times I’ve ended up turning off the Petzl accidentally trying to change
mode - typically on a technical trail where you really need to see where you’re going!
They do both have intelligent modes which complicate things slightly but are fairly
well thought out.The Petzl has a Reactive mode that uses a proximity sensor to adjust the output
and beam pattern based on your surroundings. The Silva adjusts its output and beam pattern based on
the manual tilt of the torch head - wider when tilted down and more focused when tilted up.
You can turn these modes off which are both on by default. A long press of the power button
with the torch on with the Petzl and with the Silva you turn the torch on with a long press
to disable the intelligent mode. The default mode is activated with a single press.
The Fenix WH23R has an interesting user interface with a knob that you twist to turn the torch on
and move from the spotlight, to flood to turbo with both the spotlight and flood.
The brightness level is then controlled with the side button which is memorised.
It’s very easy to use and the knob is strangely satisfying with smooth positive clicks.
None of the torches in the roundup scored too badly in this category but
I found the Nitecore HC68 and Cyansky HS6R a little over-complicated - even
though this complexity does provide more customisation which we’ll come back to.
Now we come to output - the mostly heavily marketed feature. But also the most misleading.
Like with my previous torch roundups, I’ve measured their true output with my homebuilt
calibrated lumen chamber. Although I had to make a few modifications to test these head torches.
I set them to their highest brightness level and measured their output over 10 minutes.
I’ve plotted all these measurements so you can see for yourself how they compare. As I’ve covered in
previous videos, manufacturers should use the ANSI FL1 standard for their brightness claims.
This is the measured brightness in lumens 30 seconds after turning the torch on.
I couldn’t measure the Nitecore NU43 or Olight Perun 2 since they have proximity sensors that
lower the output when there is an obstruction and this can’t be disabled. The Petzl Nao RL also has
a proximity sensor but you can disable this as we just discussed. Although in this “standard” mode
the output is reduced from 1500 to 900 lumens so I couldn’t measure its theoretical highest output.
Nearly all the torches I could test, met their manufacturer’s claims, within the
accuracy of my testing setup at least. Only the Cyansky HS6R came up a fair bit lower than
its spec'd 1200 lumens at around 900 lumens. It’s more interesting to see how their output
drops off over time. Nearly all maximum outputs had dropped off considerably after a minute or
two and even more after 5 minutes. The best performer here was the Thrunite TH30 V2 which
had the highest initial output, and held around 2600 lumens for 2 minutes which is impressive.
Even then it only dropped to around 1800 lumens for another couple of minutes before
dropping to still over 1000 lumens which is held for the remaining measurements - an
excellent performance and even better than spec’d. The Fenix HM65R-T also did well,
exceeding its spec initially and then holding just under 900 lumens for the remaining measurements.
Most of the other torches ended up between 300 and 500 lumens after 10 minutes. For trail
running I find I’d like at least 500 lumens - for road running you can get away with less.
One thing to note in these measurements is they were done indoors without any cooling.
I measured all the head torches with a Flir thermal imaging camera and the
Silva in particular got quite hot and no doubt dropped its output accordingly.
In real use in cool conditions some of these torches may have held their higher outputs
for longer. But we can still see how all these torches compare in a controlled environment.
Olight specs 2500 lumens for the Perun 2, dropping to 800 lumens after 2 minutes, and
they are usually quite accurate in their marketing claims, so I’ve used these outputs for my scoring.
The Perun 2’s proximity sensor is quite sensitive though and I found the output dimmed not just
when it was raining, but even occasionally when there was moisture in the air. Another reason
I’d like to be able to disable this sensor. Although I couldn’t measure the full 1500
lumen output of the Petzl Nao RL, in my tests it appeared less bright in its Reactive mode than in
its 900 lumen Standard mode. I tested this several times outside, ensuring there were no obstructions
or even rain that might mislead the proximity sensor. I did contact Petzl for a replacement unit
to test but still haven’t received anything. If I do receive another unit I will update the written
article at thetechnologyman.com accordingly. For the scores I also took into account the beam
pattern. Torches with separate flood and spot LEDs fared a little better here, allowing both near
and far vision. When running, a soft edge to the beam is also very important. A hard edge to the
beam gives you what feels like tunnel vision when it’s pitch dark, which I found quite unpleasant.
The running specific torches namely the Petzl, Silva and Fenix HM65R-T all did quite well here,
and even though the Silva’s output was a little low they all scored well in this category,
as well as the Thrunite TH30 V2, Olight Perun 2 and the Nitecore HC68.
Battery life is dependent on the efficiency of the electronics and size of the torch. The larger
torches that take bigger batteries will of course perform better. But they are heavier, and often
more expensive. I had to rely on manufacturer's specs since it would take too long to try and
confirm their claims. The quoted battery life from manufacturers can also be misleading. It’s
again based on the ANSI standard but in this case it’s the amount of time it takes for the torch to
reach 10% of its initial brightness. Most people would find 10% brightness too dim to be useful.
All the torches that run off an 18650 can last for many hours on even their medium
and high modes and scored well here. The Olight Perun 2 is the only torch with an
even larger 5000 mAh 21700 battery and can run for 18 hours at a still decent 120 lumens.
Build quality was pretty good across the board. Even the budget Sofirn HS20 and HS10 feel well
built with an all metal construction and have at least an IPX8 waterproof rating. The Petzl Nao RL
feels very plasticky but that keeps the weight down and I’ve been using its predecessor the
Nao+ for years and it’s fared very well. The soft rubber pads eventually failed but Petzl
sent me replacement pads free of charge with the torch well outside of warranty.
The Fenix HM65R-T, HM50R V2 and Silva Trail Speed 5R probably have the best build quality,
with the Olight Perun 2 and Perun 2 Mini and the Nitecore lights following very closely behind.
The Cyansky head torches appear quite well built and they’re the only head torches
with a metal mount. However this mount snapped on the HS3R trying to reinsert the torch into
it . And it’s difficult not to scratch off the anodising even if it all goes to plan.
The quality of light can be important if you’re using the head torch for longer periods of time.
I measured the colour temperature and accuracy of all the head torches with
a spectrometer. Take a look at my video on keychain torches for an explanation on
any terms I use here you’re not familiar with. You can see full details of these
measurements in the written article if you’re interested - they’ll be a link down below.
Most of these head torches were fairly mediocre in this category, with cool colour temperatures,
often slightly green tints and poor colour accuracy. This sounds worse than it actually
is - most people probably won’t care about this. The best performers in this category were the
Cyansky HS6R and Sofirn HS20. They both have a neutral white high CRI flood LED for excellent
colour reproduction. If you prefer a neutral white head torch but aren’t so concerned about colour
accuracy, the Perun 2 Mini I’m testing is the neutral white version and measured around 5000K,
warmer than most of the other head torches in this round up apart from the Cyansky and Sofirn.
I also gave a score out of ten for any additional features of note. Some torches lost a point if
they had USB-C charging but don’t support charging with a USB-C to USB-C cable like the Petzl Nao RL.
But in its defence you can use the detachable battery pack to charge other gadgets. And it
comes with a storage pouch that can also turn the light into a lantern. Plus it has a red LED on the
battery pack that sits at the back of your head - a very useful safety feature if you’re using the
torch for road running. The Olight Array 2 Pro also has this feature, but it’s not as bright
and you can’t turn it off on the Olight like you can on the Petzl. The Cyansky HS6R also did quite
well in this category with a flood, spot and red light configurable with two separate buttons.
I gave an extra point to all the torches that came with a red light mode, useful when you
want to preserve your night vision. I also gave an extra point to any torch that can be removed
from the head strap and used as a handheld torch which makes them more versatile. Most of
them also came with a pocket clip and some also had a magnetic base to use them as a worklight.
The Nitecore HC68 has an interesting if a little complex feature that lets you set the exact
balance between the spot and flood beam. Finally I scored the head torches on value,
taking into account all their features and build quality and their price.
This was an easy win for the two Sofirn lights which are excellent value if you purchase them
directly from Sofirn’s website. Although be prepared to wait a couple of weeks for
delivery. The Thrunite TH30 V2 is also excellent value and readily available on Amazon.
Which leads me conveniently onto my overall picks. The best overall budget torch is the Sofirn HS20
which scored 73%. If you order this directly from China it costs just $38 or £31. It’s one of the
brightest head torches I tested, has the high CRI flood LED, charges off USB-C and takes a standard
18650 battery. It does have a fairly basic head strap and it can’t be used as a handheld torch,
but overall it’s a worthy winner. The best running torch was the Petzl Nao RL with
a score of 78%. It was the most comfortable head torch - you really do forget it’s on your head.
In its high mode it was able to maintain enough brightness for pitch dark trail runs. It’s simple
to operate which is crucial for running. And I do like having a built-in rear red LED for running.
It’s certainly not perfect though. It does feel very plasticky, but more importantly in the
reactive mode it doesn’t seem to get close to its claimed 1500 lumen output. And it doesn’t support
charging with a USB-C to USB-C cable. The Silva and Fenix HM65R-T both came in a close second.
The Silva feels premium and has an excellent range of accessories available. You can get
bigger batteries and helmet and handlebar mounts for cycling. I just found its output a little
lacking considering its price. The Fenix I’ll discuss shortly. The best option if you don’t
want to spend over £100 on a running head torch is the Nitecore NU43. It also has a very comfortable
headband, a simple user interface and enough output for most runs. If you’re into long running
events or night hikes you’ll either have to run or walk with less light for extended runtimes,
or carry spare batteries. Here the Fenix is by far the cheapest option - it takes standard
18650 batteries which also don’t weigh much. Which brings me to the overall winner - the
Fenix HM65R-T came out as the best all round head torch with a score of 79%. It’s an excellent torch
for running coming in just behind the Petzl, but it’s also great as a general
purpose head torch for just about anything. If you want one head torch that does it all,
this is the one. It has the best head strap - I’d love to see this ratcheting system on other head
straps. It has a simple interface - a separate button for each LED. For general use around the
house the flood LED is very useful. The spot LED is useful for walking, hiking and running.
I found the best combination for my trail runs was high flood and medium spot.
If I needed to see the trail far ahead I activated the high spot mode briefly. I do wish there was at
least quick access to a turbo mode - having to cycle through two buttons to enter the brightest
mode is awkward especially when running. And then you have to cycle back through the lower
modes to get back to where you were. So not as easy to use as a running torch compared to the
Petzl and Silva. I also would have liked it to tilt up a little more to make full use of the
spot beam without having to tilt up my head. It’s also only a head torch - you can’t remove it from
the headband and use it as a handheld torch. If you want that flexibility and don’t need it for
running, I do like the Olight Perun 2 as a general purpose head torch - it scored 74% overall. It has
one of the best user interfaces, good output and battery life, and the convenient magnetic
charging ensures it is always ready to go. It is a little big for a head torch though - although a
better head strap could transform it. The Thrunite TH30 V2 is a cheaper option and weighs a little
less but with similar output levels to the Perun 2. It also takes a standard 18650 battery unlike
the Perun 2 and has standard USB-C charging. The Nitecore HC68 is another great option,
but at its RRP is quite pricey. On sale it’d definitely be worth considering.
But I’d love to hear your thoughts - what would be your pick out of these 16 head torches? And
let me know of any head torches I’ve missed that you want included in the next roundup.
Also let me know what torches you want me to look at next: budget torches off Amazon,
crazy high lumen torches or something else! As always, if you have any questions,
please ask - I read every comment and will do my best to respond.
I do hope you found this video useful. Please like the video if you did. I’m releasing videos
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