Mountain bike lighting: Our selection of the best MTB lights
Winter is here, and with it, the long nights are back. Like us, you might be a fan of night rides, and you’re right to be! Have you never ridden at night? Maybe it’s time to try. Riding under the stars is always a unique experience, a chance to reclaim the paths you usually ride on for the rest of the year.
Yes, but here’s the thing, you need to be well equipped! How do you choose your mountain bike lights? Headlamp or handlebar light? How many lumens do you really need? Which mountain bike light models should you choose? These are all questions we will try to answer. So if you’re wondering which mountain bike light to use for your next outings, this article guides you with our selection of the best mountain bike lights for 2025.
Our top 7 mountain bike lights for 2025
Check out our selection of the 7 best mountain bike lights for 2025:
- Fenix BC26R
- Exposure Lights Mk15
- Spanninga Thor 1100
- Stoots Opalo 3
- Lezyne Mega Drive 2400+
- Lupine Piko
- K-Lamp EXR 1700
If seeing is important, don’t forget to be seen! As you can see, our selection focuses solely on offering front lighting models. Be sure to have a rear light as well, to be visible to other road users.
Fenix BC26R: Best value for money
The Fenix BC 26R is ideal if you’re looking for a powerful and ultra-compact lamp. With a wide beam of 100°, it effectively lights up winding paths and uneven terrain thanks to its 1600 lumens maximum power. With a robust aluminum design and an interchangeable internal battery, this mountain bike light is perfect for long night rides. It offers the option to be mounted on the handlebar or on the helmet with an adapter.
Our opinion?
It offers excellent performance for the price. Its aluminum finish inspires confidence, and its interchangeable internal battery is a real plus. While Fenix is known for its professional lights, its bike range hasn't yet achieved a significant reputation in the U.S. despite the excellent quality of these products.
Exposure Lights Mk15: Very British Know-How
Exposure Lights offers high-end lamps made in England. With this Mk15, the brand presents a powerful, versatile, and lightweight product. The Exposure M15 stands out for its exceptional lighting power with 2800 lumens, minimalist anodized aluminum design, and its 12 lighting modes. It will suit demanding mountain bikers looking for a reliable and robust product.
Our opinion?
Exposure Light is a reliable brand in bike lighting. This Mk15 represents the top of the range for mountain bike lights. Certainly, its price is above many other products, but you can be sure that this lamp will accompany you for many years without failing.
Spanninga Thor 1100: Simple and Reliable
The Spanninga Thor 1100 has been designed to face the most extreme conditions. Waterproof and ultra-powerful with 1100 lumens maximum power, it’s a must-have choice for mountain biking enthusiasts. It offers a simple operating mode with two modes and can be mounted on either the helmet or the handlebar.
Our opinion?
Compact and well-priced for its power level and autonomy, the Spanninga Thor 1100 is a reliable mountain bike light. Based in the Netherlands, Spanninga boasts over 100 years of cycling safety heritage and offers quality products.
Stoots Opalo 3: The lightweight
Compact and lightweight, the Stoots Opalo 3 is a versatile lamp for mountain bikers looking for a light they can forget about. Its modest autonomy at full power (2 hours) is compensated by its ease of installation and its very good value for a lamp designed and manufactured in France. It ideally attaches to a helmet, but Stoots has developed an adapter that lets you mount it on the handlebar.
Our opinion?
Ideal for those seeking an ultra-light mountain bike lamp. Manufactured and designed in France, this Stoots Opalo 3 has everything a great lamp should have. Whether used alone or in conjunction with a handlebar light, it is the most versatile choice if you also enjoy other outdoor activities like trail running or hiking.
Lezyne Mega Drive 2400+: A Sure Bet
With its 2400 lumens, the Lezyne Mega Drive 2400+ is the most powerful of the Lezyne bike lights. It guarantees excellent visibility on the trails. Its CNC machined aluminum finish and high-end design allow for optimal heat dissipation. This mountain bike light features an internal battery, rechargeable via USB-C, and can be used with an external battery to extend its autonomy.
Our opinion?
Lezyne’s expertise in bike lights is well established. With this model, the brand offers a high-end, versatile, and powerful option. We appreciate the ability to use an external battery to extend its autonomy.
Lupine Piko: German Quality
The Lupine Piko is a must-have model in mountain bike lighting. This helmet light weighs in at only 80 g for the light block. Its adjustable power and great autonomy depending on the battery pack make it a must for long-distance lovers. Its CNC aluminum finish allows for excellent heat regulation. Lupine also offers adjustable settings through a smartphone app.
Our opinion?
Lupine is the epitome of German quality. A well-known German brand, it is widely appreciated among mountain biking enthusiasts for the quality finish and reliability of its products. Lupine was one of the pioneering brands in LED lights. Choosing the Piko means choosing a bestseller!
K-Lamp EXR1700: Made in France Quality
With its generous battery life and wide beam, the Klamp EXR 1700 is perfect for mountain bikers looking for a reliable, easy-to-use MTB light. It can be mounted on either the helmet or the handlebars. Its reversible visor allows the light to be mounted upside down when attached to the handlebars. It operates with an external battery of up to 10,000 mAh, giving it a long runtime of up to 3 hours and 20 minutes at full power.
Our opinion ?
K-Lamp has a strong reputation in the MTB lighting segment. The Béarnaise brand offers reliable, high-quality products. We appreciate the excellent value for money. The beam remains progressive and deep. For the price, it rivals the high-end models in our selection.
How to choose MTB lighting?
Now that we’ve looked in detail at the specifications of each model, let’s shed some “light” on the most common questions we encountered when buying a new MTB light.
Is the number of lumens enough to choose the best MTB light?
Lumens are like the horsepower of an engine: impressive, but not enough to judge. What matters is how that power is used. A light that projects a uniform and well-distributed beam will help you better anticipate obstacles. High-end models often include lenses or mirrors that optimize light distribution. The result? A more natural and less fatiguing light for the eyes.
So why focus on lumens? Simply because it’s the most standardized unit, easiest to compare. Lux, which measures light received on a given surface, would be more precise, but it varies depending on beam width and distance. Without a unified standard in the cycling world, manufacturers rely on lumens to speak a common language.
Headlamp or handlebar light: which is the best option?
Whichever option you choose—headlamp or handlebar light—each has its advantages and disadvantages.
MTB Headlamp: Advantages and disadvantages?
Advantages :
- Multidirectional lighting: The light shines exactly where you’re looking, which is especially useful in turns or when changing direction.
Disadvantages:
- Extra weight: Wearing a light on the helmet adds weight, which can affect comfort during long rides.
- Annoying cables: If the light uses an external battery, the cables can become a hassle.
- Access to the battery: If the battery is in a backpack, you’ll need to remove the helmet to access it.
Handlebar MTB light: Advantages and disadvantages?
Advantages:
- Increased power: You can often choose a heavier, more powerful light, ideal for long night rides.
Disadvantages:
- Less directional lighting: Unlike the helmet light, the light generally points straight ahead, which may reduce accuracy when riding on winding singletracks.
Helmet + handlebar light: The best option
The combination of both options is the most ideal. It provides precise directional lighting from the helmet-mounted light and increased power from the handlebar-mounted light.
In any case, we recommend always carrying a small backup light for the head or helmet in case of mechanical problems, as the handlebar light won’t illuminate the exact spot where you need to work. A small additional light on the head ensures you can see clearly even when fixing your bike.
Internal or external battery: Which solution for MTB lighting?
Choosing between an internal or external battery for MTB lighting depends primarily on your needs and riding habits.
Internal battery
With an internal battery, everything is contained within the light: it’s compact and convenient. However, this design adds weight, which can be a drawback for a helmet-mounted light. The real disadvantage of lights with a non-removable internal battery? When it’s drained, you have to wait for a full recharge before using the light again.
External battery
If you want to maximize your battery life, an external battery is a great solution. In addition to allowing longer rides, it can be easily swapped with a spare battery. Often used for more powerful lights, it helps manage heat better. Its only downside? The cable and the need for a dedicated space to attach or store it, such as a bag or the frame of your bike.
Removable internal battery: A good compromise
With a light featuring a removable internal battery, you get the best of both worlds: the compactness of an internal battery and the ability to easily swap out a drained one. No need to wait to continue your ride!
Looking for the right MTB light for your next nighttime adventures? This selection ensures you’ll make an informed choice! Whether you prioritize power, battery life, or practicality, there’s a light suited to your needs. Found the right light but still looking for the perfect bike to explore the trails? Check out our second-hand MTB deals at attractive prices on buycycle. Whether you're after an electric MTB, a semi-rigid, or a full-suspension MTB, we offer a wide selection of the best bikes to make the most of the trails.
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