The best headlamp for hunting combines durability, colored LEDs, and the right amount of lumens to light the way, no matter the conditions.
As a hunter, having a headlamp with colored LEDs – specifically red or green – is imperative to staying under the radar of nearby game animals.
Best Headlamp For Hunting - Top Picks
(Full List Below)
Best Overall
Red and Green
Best On a Budget
- Up to 4,000 lumens
- Red light
- Rechargeable
- Battery Life indicator
- Mobile app with variety of lighting functions
- Loaded with accessories
- 350 Lumens
- Red and Green light
- Water resistant
- 7 modes of operation
- Rechargeable
- 260 lumens
- 7 modes of operation
- Includes red light
- Multi-tilt settings
- Illuminates up to 80 meteres
Best Headlamp For Hunting - Full List
- Up to 4,000 lumens
- Rechargeable
- Red light
- Battery Life indicator
- Mobile app with variety of lighting functions
- Loaded with accessories
The LedLenser H19R Signature is the end-all-be-all if you’re looking for the brightest headlamp for hunting.
It’s capable of pushing out 4,000 lumens. However, keeping it at that kind of output will drain the battery relatively quickly.
Fortunately, the High setting produces 1,800 lumens for 3.5 hours, the Medium setting produces 800 lumens for 7 hours, and the Low setting produces 200 lumens for 20 hours.
All of this is handled inside an IP68-rated body, which means it can be submerged 1.5 meters under water for 30 minutes. I’d say it’s waterproof.
It has both individual flood, as well as spot beams, and the LedLenser has a mobile app, which gives you the ability to adjust custom light functions and settings.
It also comes with a remote control that can be worn around your wrist. It does have a red light, which is a necessity for use while hunting.
One really cool feature this headlamp has is that it automatically changes light output depending on the distance you are from objects in front of you. How awesome is that?! Probably should have led with that.
Anyway, this headlamp is full of so many great features, and has everything you could want in one, including helmet clips, a GoPro adapter, a tripod mount, an extension cable, a universal mounting bracket, a helmet mounting system, and a magnetic charging cable.
So, maybe the brightest headlamp for hunting is really just the best headlamp for hunting. What do you think?
- Red light setting
- 750 lumens
- Rechargeable
- Super bright
- 7 modes of operation
- Light housing tilts
- Rear visibility
If you’re looking for the best rechargeable headlamp for hunting that won’t break the bank, you’ve found it in the BioLite 750. This headlamp boasts an ultra-bright 750 lumens.
It was built with 8 different lighting modes, split between the front light and the rear visibility light.
The front modes consist of Red Vision, White Spot, White Flood, White Combo, Strobe and Burst Mode.
The Rear Red Visibility Light has Solid & Strobe modes. All modes are dimmable, which helps greatly with conserving battery life.
When fully charged, the BioLite 750 will run 150 hours in Lo mode, 7 hours on Hi, 2 hours in Constant Mode, and 7 hours in Reserve.
Its 3000mAh li-ion battery charges via micro USB. The front panel is able to be tilted, adding to its versatility.
All-in-all, this headlamp is a great option with a lot of features – definitely a top contender for being the best headlamp for hunting.
- 260 lumens
- 7 modes of operation
- Includes red light
- Multi-tilt settings
- Illuminates up to 80 meteres
I’ve personally been putting the Energizer Pro 260 headlamp through the wringer for around 5 years now and it has yet to fail. It’s definitely the best red light headlamp for hunting.
It lights the way up to 80 meters and produces a 260-lumen beam of LED light in high mode.
The main light housing has multiple tilt settings to lock in place at whatever angle is preferable for your situation.
It has a durable, shatter-proof lens and an IPX4 water-resistant body.
You can cycle through 7 different light modes with the push of a single button – red, high, low, spot high, spot low, wide high, and wide low.
One of its coolest features is its Smart Dimming technology, which controls light intensity, saving battery life.
In low mode, this headlamp can run up to 35 hours!
The thing that I like most about it is that the red light is the first setting, so you don’t have to cycle through bright white light in the woods, alerting deer to your presence before the red setting.
And if it’s been on the red setting for several seconds, hitting the button again turns the headlamp off, not requiring you to run through all the white light settings first.
Based on my experience and the fact that it costs less than $20, I see it as being the best headlamp for hunting if you’re looking for a quality light under $50.
- 350 Lumens
- Red and Green light
- Water resistant
- 7 modes of operation
- Rechargeable
The Everbrite 350 Lumen headlamp checks all the boxes, and is the best hunting headlamp with green light capability.
It’s rechargeable, allowing you to continually use it without having to replace expensive batteries.
It includes white, red, and green lights, which is exactly what a hunter needs.
It has 7 modes of operation – high, medium, low, strobe, white, red, green.
It is IPX4 water resistant, so it’ll keep on going during rainy hunts.
The head tilts 30°, adding to its versatility, and its Mode Memory keeps your preferred lighting locked in so you don’t have to spook game by cycling through all the options.
I’m not too keen on rechargeable lights, as rechargeable batteries can tend to stop holding their charge as well over time, but for the price, coupled with the features, this headlamp is worth trying out for a season.
- 2-pack
- Red light setting
- 45° adjustable light
- 7 modes of operation
- Weather-resistant
- Adjustable and removable strap
The GearLight S500 is one of the top rated headlamps for hunting. It comes in a 2-pack and, having red light, is another great option for us hunters.
Its light housing is adjustable up to 45°, which is a big deal. That means you can have it pointed toward the ground, but your head can stay upright, allowing you better line of sight as you walk in or out of dark timber.
Like many others, it carries 7 modes of operation, from white strobe to red beam.
Its head strap is adjustable and removable for washing. It takes 3 AAA batteries, which are not included, so make sure to grab a pack of those if you purchase this headlamp.
It boasts a runtime of 10 hours on low mode, so you get a good bang for your buck on battery life.
For the cost, the insanely high amount of positive reviews, and the fact that you get TWO, this headlamp has made it on the top 7 best headlamp for hunting list.
- Includes red, green, and blue LEDs
- 300 lumens
- Water-resistant
- 3 AAA batteries included
The Princeton Tec Remix headlamp is a great option for those early morning or late night hunts.
Although it has a blue LED, I would not use it in a hunting situation. The red or green options will keep deer unaware of your presence.
Turkeys also seem to stay unalarmed by red light.
What’s great about this light is not only the raving reviews, but the fact that it defaults to the Low red LED setting, keeping you from spooking game.
It also has a High red setting that comes on with a second push of the button and you have to hold the button to get white light to come on. Another great hunting feature.
This headlamp ships with 3 included AAA batteries.
At 300 lumens of white light with options for red, green and blue, this headlamp is a great option.
You’re here looking for the best headlamp for hunting. I’d add this one to the top of your list.
- Includes red, green, and blue LEDs
- MaxBright white light
- Made by Princeton Tec
- Adjustable headband
- 3 AAA batteries included
The Cabela’s Princeton Tec Alaskan Guide is another great RGB option, and it’s been well-received with great reviews.
This is another top contender for the title of Best Headlamp For Hunting.
With 300 lumens and the option to light your way to and from your spot with red or green, this headlamp has all you need.
It comes with the needed 3 AAA batteries, which is a nice, added bonus.
The headband is adjustable, allowing for a comfortable fit.
It’s water-resistant, and its 5-mode switch features a pivoting action that allows you to direct and aim each beam of light, adding to its versatility.
Runtime is up to 53 hours using the spotlight and up to 150 hours using the Ultrabright LEDs. That’s a lot of time in the woods.
- 350 lumens
- Petzl battery core compatible
- RGB (red, green, blue) lights
- Detachable and washable headband
- Includes 3 AAA batteries
The Petzl Tactikka +RGB headlamp offers a lot of versatility.
Its 350 lumens is plenty bright enough to light up the night when you need it, but the built-in RGB LED is going to offer you the subtle red or green when you’re sneaking through the woods.
Its Hybrid Concept allows you to use the included 3 AAA batteries or you can upgrade to the Petzl rechargeable core.
Carrying 350 lumens, being equipped with a RGB LED, and having the option for a rechargeable core makes this headlamp a solid contender on the best headlamp for hunting list.
What color headlamp for deer hunting?
White light, no matter how dim, will spook game animals, deer included. Plain and simple.
If you’re wondering what color headlamp for deer hunting is best, the answer is RED.
Deer are dichromatic, which basically means they can’t see red light because they are colorblind to red and green.
Therefore, red and green lights are acceptable options for hunting, but green light impairs your night vision and may spook other animals, causing deer to spook.
For that reason alone, I always choose red light. If a brighter light is necessary for your hunting application, choose green over white.
Crazy, but REAL, red light story
One morning, I was walking through a field, heading toward a wood line where I had a ground blind tucked away overlooking food back in the timber.
The field I was walking through had planted cotton in it, so I knew I wouldn’t be spooking deer on my way in.
I had been getting trail cam photos near the blind, so I was going to set up and take the first legal deer I saw that morning.
Like many mornings before, I was walking in with my red light on.
But little did I know, there were bucks bedding 50 yards from the blind.
When I crossed into the wood line and came through some tall brush, I saw 3 sets of red eyes about 15 yards from me, but they DIDN’T SPOOK.
One of them stood up and actually started walking in my direction! Had I not been upwind of him, he would have immediately bolted.
Instead, he started walking over to see what I was, obviously not being able to see me or the red light.
Even being 99% sure that whatever was approaching me in the pitch black dark was a deer, it was still an unnerving situation.
So, deer or not, I decided to switch from red light to white light on my headlamp. The second I did, I saw it was a buck as it bounded off, blowing repeatedly as it ran through the timber.
That one hunt gave me the experiential backing that proved what I had heard my whole life – deer don’t see red light.
I still killed a doe that morning out of that very blind.
Best Red Light Headlamp For Hunting
The Energizer Pro 260 is the best red light headlamp for hunting. I’ve personally seen how well it works in all conditions and just how durable it is.
I also believe that it’s the best headlamp for hunting under $50.
To see all the great features and read up on my experience with it, click here.
Best Rechargeable Headlamp For Hunting
The best rechargeable headlamp for hunting that won’t make you go broke is the BioLite 750. It’s got a lot of great features, including red light, 750 lumens, and rear light visibility, to name a few.
See all the features here.
Best Hunting Headlamp With Green Light
Because of reasons already mentioned above, using a green light while hunting can help light your way while keeping you undetected to nearby game.
The best hunting headlamp with green light capabilities is going to be the Everbrite 350 shown above. It also has red light as well, so you can use the red light to stay concealed while not messing with your eyes’ ability to see in the darkness once you turn it off.
Brightest Headlamp For Hunting
The brightest headlamp for hunting isn’t always the best headlamp for hunting, but if you’re truly looking for the brightest, it’s the Ledlenser H19R Signature, coming in at a whopping 4,000 lumens!
The Ledlenser also just so happens to be one of the best headlamps you’ll find anywhere, so definitely check it out before settling on another.
What is the most important feature in a hunting headlamp?
By far, the most important feature in a hunting headlamp is a red light.
Having an additional green light is a great bonus, but the red light is completely necessary.
Aside from a red light, other features to look for are water-resistance and brightness over 200 lumens.
If you’re looking to save a few bucks, included batteries is a nice add-on.
What are lumens?
In layman’s terms, Lumens are the brightness of a light. So, when you’re looking through the different options and seeing various lumens available, keep in mind that the higher the lumens, the higher the brightness of the lights.
And conversely, the lower the lumens, the dimmer the lights. It’s pretty tough for the average person to know if a light will be bright enough by the lumen count, so keep the following in mind.
450 lumens is about the equivalent of a 40-watt light bulb. If it’s still hard to visualize, your best bet moving forward is to choose one of the options above, pay attention to how bright the light is when used outdoors in the dark, and try another at a later date with a higher or lower lumen to compare.
Over time, you’ll have a good idea for how bright a certain amount of lumens is when looking at new headlamps.
Of course, the best headlamp for hunting is going to have all the features you’d want in a headlamp with a high lumen count.
Then again, the higher the lumens, the faster the batteries are going to drain, so you should take that into consideration as well.
How many lumens are necessary for hunting?
In my experience, the 260 lumens available in the Energizer Pro 260 above is plenty for walking in and out of the woods in the pitch black dark.
It’s also great for blood tracking, but as the batteries begin running out, it becomes a little harder to pick out blood. Higher lumens would help alleviate that, but low batteries are low batteries.
When you get to that point, it doesn’t matter how many lumens you have. Your eyes get acclimated to the brightness of the headlamp, and low batteries cause the decreased brightness to impede your vision.
Some might say you need 1,000 lumens in a headlamp, but that’s just simply not the case. Over the past 3 years, I’ve lit my way in and out of the timber using nothing more than 260 lumens.
You can’t go wrong with more, although it will be easier for animals to see you from further distances through the woods as you approach or leave your stand.
Is there just one Best Headlamp For Hunting?
The short of it is no – there’s not one headlamp that reigns supreme as the Best Headlamp For Hunting.
Each headlamp has pros and cons. There are a lot of features that are common among many, while some boast unique features not found in many other models.
The truth is, like all hunting gear items, personal preference reigns supreme. Sure, high lumens are great because a bright light pretty much appeals to everyone.
But not everyone wants to have to remember to recharge their headlamp after use. Some, however, would prefer that over replacing expensive batteries.
Some will only use red LEDs walking into the dark, while some – admittedly or not – feel very uneasy walking in the dark without making their presence known through bright white light.
We all have our preferences. Some lights are going to appeal to me, and others will appeal to you.
So, you have to look at the features, price point, reviews, etc., then make your decision based on the overall picture.
In the end, you have to decide for yourself which is the best headlamp for hunting.
