Bike lights are crucial for having a safe ride during the nighttime. But not all bike lights are created equal.
There are differences in the amount of light it shines, the weight, the battery compatibility, and other essential factors.
For example, using an LED light for bike riding provides much more light per watt than other types of outdated lighting, such as metal-halide or halogen bulbs.
Although not required, getting a complete set of bicycle lights for night riding instead of just a front light or rear light is also helpful. A set of both headlights and tail lights will ensure the most safety, as you will then be able to both see clearly into the night and allow others to see you from behind.
This article lists what we believe are the best bicycle lights for night riding, and we hope it helps you decide which lights will work best for your bike and your preferences!
Comparison Chart
1 . Cygolite Hotshot 2-Watt Bike Taillight
The Cygolite Hotshot is a USB-rechargeable bicycle light that weighs only 0.2 pounds and functions well both day and night.
This bike light includes numerous features such as blinking and strobe modes for when you need to alert others for assistance. Additionally, there are six different light modes that you can adjust based on how dark it is when you are riding your bike.
A valuable mode is SteadyPulse, a beam that changes intensity at a gradual level to keep motorists aware of their whereabouts without the light shining too brightly at oncoming traffic.
The Cygolite Hotshot is created for road and commuter use, but the lamp is durable enough for mountain bikes and other forms of trail-riding as well.
This taillight is an excellent choice for bikers who go biking for various reasons and might prefer an all-purpose bike light instead of multiple ones for each intended use.
Pros
- Six different modes to choose from
- Durable lamp
- Water-resistant
Cons
- It only includes a rear light
2. Serfas Thunderbolt USB Tail Light
The Serra’s Thunderbolt USB Taillight conveniently charges through USB, as the name implies, and is generally a decent tail light for a wide variety of cyclists.
It includes two rubber straps that allow users to mount it to almost anywhere they would like on the bike, although it is intended primarily for tail light use.
This tail light has a good battery life, running for 2.5 hours on the high-flash settings – using 35 lumens – and a solid 8.5 hours straight on the lowest flash set – using 10 lumens.
The Serfas also includes a steady low and high mode and flash modes.
All in all, this is a practical tail light with nothing too fancy included, but certainly all of the essential features that a regular bike rider would need for nighttime riding.
Pros
- Fully charging only takes 3.5 hours
- USB rechargeable
- Good battery life
- It can be placed at different parts of the rear
Cons
- It only includes a rear light
- Not the brightest light versus competitors
3. Lupin Lighting Systems Rotlicht Tail Light
The Lupin Rotlicht Tail Light is a high-tech option for those looking for long-lasting and supremely reliable functionality.
One of the best features of the Lupin Rotlicht is an automatic, built-in accelerometer that gradually increases the intensity of the light as you slow down.
This feature is excellent for bike riders looking for the safest option, as the increasing light will automatically warn drivers and other riders behind you that you are slowing down, even when they can’t easily see the rest of you.
The other great feature of this LED bike riding light is its strong battery life. It includes four modes of light, from 1 to 2 watts. And even at 2 watts, which is the highest battery mode, it can still run for 3 hours straight.
These features are why we recommend this bike light for serious bike riders who need a high-quality tail light for either everyday use or extended adventures.
The Lupin is one of the best bike lights for night riding but is also one of the most expensive options on the market.
Pros
- A built-in accelerometer that automatically increases light intensity when slowing down
- Great battery life
Cons
- Expensive
- It only includes a rear light
- It needs 6 hours to recharge fully (best to charge overnight)
4. BV Bicycle Light Set
The BV bicycle light set is an excellent option if you are looking for both a taillight and a front light at an incredibly affordable price.
The headlight includes 5 LED lights with a 30–40 feet range. The tail light contains 3 LED lights and is angle-adjustable to shine exactly where you’d like it to from the back of your bike.
BV claims that its bicycle lights for night riding will ensure you are visible to motorists over 150 feet away. It is also weather-resistant, making it an excellent choice for both city and adventure riders.
Pros
- Affordable price
- Decent light range
- Includes both headlight and tail light
Cons
- Not as high quality as its competitors
- Not as durable as its competitors
- It might not have as sturdy of a hold
5. Ascher Ultra Bright USB Bike Light Set
The Ascher Ultra Bright USB Bike Light Set is a bestselling bicycle light for night riding to do its high-value functionality.
Both lights within the set include lithium batteries that can be recharged through USB. Additionally, this light set consists of the four basic light modes that many riders wish to have— steady bright, steady low light, bright flash, and low light flash.
The Ascher is an excellent bike light set for more casual bike riders who want the basic functionalities and don’t want to pay a high price for features they’ll barely use. Bikers can easily use these lights for both city roads and adventure trails.
The main downside of this light set is that the mounting brackets are not very adjustable, meaning that they might be too small for some bikes while slipping off on other bikes.
Pros
- USB rechargeable front and back lights
- Includes both headlight and tail light
- Affordable price
- Supportive customer service
Cons
- It does not include as many light modes as higher-priced competitors
- The mounting bracket might not fit every bike perfectly
We hope this list of best bicycle lights for night riding has given you some great options for bike lights that you can use. All of these options will provide a safe and convenient way for you to ride your bike when the sun goes down or before the sun comes up. Happy cycling!
Read also: Best Daytime Bike Lights