No matter what season you ride your bike in or where you ride it, one of the best ways to be seen is to have a bike light on the front and rear of your bike.
Most cars have Daylight Running Lights, and that’s because, at a glance, it’s easy to see if a vehicle is coming. For this reason, having a light on your bike that alerts drivers to your presence is only good.
Bike lights can be used any time of day, not just in poor weather and low light conditions. This is because lights generally have different settings – a steady light that will help you see where you’re going and a pulsing flash that will alert drivers and other road users to your presence.
So let’s take a look at the best front and rear lights which are worth your money
Best front lights
![Bookman Block Front Light](https://images.bauerhosting.com/affiliates/sites/8/2022/10/Bookman-Block-Front-Light.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
www.wiggle.co.uk
This small, durable, and sleek little light from Bookman won’t be the one which lights the whole road on your evening rides, as it can only put out 50 lumens at full power. However, it’ll be enough for daylight and low light conditions to help you be seen.
Rechargeable via USB, the Lithium ION battery can run for 25 hours when used in its lowest setting, blinking at 14 Lumens. When used at its max setting of 50 Lumens on a steady light, it’ll run for 1.5 hours.
Pros
- Easy to mount to your bike
- Compact enough to fit into your pocket
- USB rechargeable
Cons
- Not overly bright
- Will need recharging daily if used on full power
Lumens: | 50 max |
Battery life: | 25 hours max 1.5 min |
Charge time: | Two hours from flat |
Charge method: | USB |
![Lezyne LED Femto USB Drive Front Light](https://images.bauerhosting.com/affiliates/sites/8/2022/10/Lezyne-LED-Femto-USB-Drive-Front-Light.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
This small, easy-to-fit front light will help you be seen more rather than guide you through the dark country lanes on a commute home. At only 15 lumens, it’s not exactly what you might call bright, but it is enough to get noticed.
The Lezyne Femto USB Drive Front Light has five different light modes (three different kinds of flash, pulsing and solid). The light casing has an IPX7 water resistance rating, is incredibly lightweight at only 22 grams, and the wide optic lens provides more than 180 degrees of visibility.
Pros
- Easy to fit
- Compact design
- Inexpensive in comparison to others on the market
Cons
- Not that bright
Lumens: | 15 max |
Battery life: | 22 hours max (variable on how it’s used) |
Charge time: | 2.5 hours from flat |
Charge method: | USB |
![Knog Plugger Front Light](https://images.bauerhosting.com/affiliates/sites/8/2022/10/Knog-Plugger-Front-Light.png?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
What Kong has done here is make something that sits between a light which will get you seen and help you see in equal measure.
It's the ideal light for those dusky summer evening commutes home. It's very impressive to get 350 lumens in such a small and reasonably priced light, and it'll be enough to help you spot potholes and drains.
Pros
- Reasonably priced
- Easily attached
- Lightweight (85g)
Cons
- Consider durability at this price
Lumens: | 350 max |
Battery life: | 180 hours on eco mode, 1.5 hours on max setting |
Charge time: | Five hours from flat |
Charge method: | USB |
![Exposure Trace MK2 Daybright Front Light](https://images.bauerhosting.com/affiliates/sites/8/2022/10/Exposure-Trace-MK2-Daybright-Front-Light.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
www.wiggle.co.uk
The Trace Mk2 is a front bike light designed to help you be seen during the day. It’s small, compact, and has three different brightness levels with a maximum output of 125 Lumens.
In a neat little feature, this light has a traffic light system for letting you know how much battery life is left, so you don’t get caught out on your rides. It’s small and lightweight, making it perfect for commuting or those summer evening time trials.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Compact
- Decent battery time
Cons
- We would prefer more lumens at this price
Lumens: | 125 max |
Battery life: | Min 3 hrs Max 24 hrs pulsing. |
Charge time: | Not given |
Charge method: | Micro USB |
![Bontrager Ion 200 RT Front Light](https://images.bauerhosting.com/affiliates/sites/8/2022/10/Bontrager-Ion-200-Rt-Front-Light.png?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
This from Bontrager is yet another perfect daytime light at 200 Lumens via a high-powered CREE LED light. It’ll attach to your handlebars, bike or helmet using the supplied bracket.
Bontrager states that this light can be visible up to 2km away - quite the claim from a bit of light. There is an integrated light sensor that auto-adjusts your light's brightness, so you don’t have to worry about being in the correct setting to round it off. You can connect it to your Garmin and Bontrager ANT+ devices for always-on battery status and wireless control.
Pros
- Good level of tech crammed in.
- Bright light for daytime running.
- Wireless control is perfect if it’s attached to your helmet
Cons
- USB-C charging would make this perfect
Lumens: | 200 max |
Battery life: | 12 hours of runtime with the all-day flash mode and 1.5 hours at 200 lumen |
Charge time: | Not given |
Charge method: | Micro USB |
![Bontrager ION Pro RT Front Light](https://images.bauerhosting.com/affiliates/sites/8/2022/10/Bontrager-ION-Pro-RT-Front-Light.png?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
www.trekbikes.com
The high price of this front light might have you reeling, but on a winter commute or an evening bike ride, the super bright ION Pro by Bontrager will make it so you can see where you’re going.
The adjustable mount fixture means that the light fits a wide variety of handlebars - spanning everything from 25.4mm to 35mm. Boasting a huge 1,300 lumens, this powerful bike light will light up the road, path or trail ahead of you. A variety of flash settings means you can also use this light in the daytime and be confident of being seen.
Pros
- Super bright light
- Connect with Garmin® and Bontrager ANT+ devices for always-on, battery status and control
- Blendr-compatible with a helmet mount available
Cons
- High cost in comparison to others
Lumens: | 1,300 max |
Battery life: | Maximum of 26 hours, minimum of 1.5 hours |
Charge time: | Not given |
Charge method: | Micro USB |
![Garmin Varia UT800 Urban Edition Front Light](https://images.bauerhosting.com/affiliates/sites/8/2022/10/Garmin-Varia-UT800-Urban-Edition-Front-Light.png?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Fancy yourself a bike light that connects to your Garmin Edge cycling computer and works so that it can pick up on ambient light and speed, and looking to get the best out of its battery? The Garmin Varia UT800 is an intelligent bike light which will also bring 800 lumens of light to the roads beyond the city.
The UT800 is designed to sit under your Garmin mount with its GoPro attachment system, sitting on your handlebars and not getting in the way of your cycling computer, optimising its positioning to give you the best lighting possible.
For all this packed in, it’s still light at 130 grams and with five different lighting modes, it’ll be sure to get you seen and help you home.
Pros
- Adaptable to different lighting
- Lightweight
- Intuitive and easy to use
Cons
- A high price to pay but a quality light
Lumens: | 800 max |
Battery life: | 1.5 hours, high; 3.0 hours, medium; 6.0 hours, low; 25.0 hours, day flash; 6.0 hours, night flash |
Charge time: | Not given |
Charge method: | USB-C |
Best rear lights
The sole purpose of a rear light is not to help you see but to help you be seen. These are often lights with a blinking or flashing pattern to help other road users see you. Getting the right one is still important, though, because you don’t just want a rear light which gives a dull, soft blink. The light still needs to be bright to grab attention.
![Knog Plug Rear Light](https://images.bauerhosting.com/affiliates/sites/8/2022/10/Knog-Plug-Rear-Light.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Knog makes quality lights at a low price, which is no different. Super simple to attach to your seat post, a single LED provides a powerful beam of light with five easy-to-set modes: Max, Medium, Pulse, Flash & Eco-Flash.
Knog says that this is a durable design which is 100% waterproof, but the wording might be wrong here. While it no doubt would be good at combatting road spray and rain, if it were to be submerged, it would be interesting to see how long it would last.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Easy to mount with interchangeable straps
- Waterproof against the elements
Cons
- We would worry about brightness at this price
Lumens: | Not given |
Battery life: | 100 hours of run time in Eco-Flash mode |
Charge time: | Not given |
Charge method: | micro USB |
Lezyne brings this nice-looking rear light to the party. It may be set out vertically, but it gives up to 270 degrees of visibility, meaning that you can be seen from the side. Moreover, it has a very bright 300 lumens at its disposal, giving you maximum visibility in all conditions.
In Dayflash mode, the unit can produce 300 lumens for five hours or a still very creditable 150 lumens for seven hours, meaning most rides are covered.
Pros
- Nice and bright
- Light at 53 grams
- 270 degrees of visibility
Cons
- 11 output modes seem like a bit much
Lumens: | 300 maximum |
Battery life: | Five hours at 300 lumens, seven hours at 150 lumens |
Charge time: | Two hours |
Charge method: | Micro USB |
![Exposure TraceR Rear Bike Light with DayBright](https://images.bauerhosting.com/affiliates/sites/8/2022/10/Exposure-TraceR-Rear-Bike-Light-with-DayBright-1.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
www.wiggle.co.uk
This super compact rear light packs all you need into a little chamber to keep you seen on the road. Like the front light listed above, it comes with a fuel gauge-style system, allowing you to see how much battery power is left in the light. Super lightweight at 35g, this is a light for someone who is racing a time trial or a daylight rear light for a city commute.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Recognised brand
- Wide angle visibility
Cons
- High price for a low-lumen light
Lumens: | 75 lumens |
Battery life: | Min three hrs, max 24 hrs pulsing. |
Charge time: | Not given |
Charge method: | Micro USB |
![Knog Blinder Road R70 Rear Bike Light](https://images.bauerhosting.com/affiliates/sites/8/2022/10/Knog-Blinder-Road-R70-Rear-Bike-Light.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Being called ‘Blinder’, you’d expect either one of two things - that it’s a blinding deal or that it’s bright enough to get you spotted regardless of the light conditions. This from Knog is more the former. With 70 lumens of light, it’s best for nighttime, while it will still be okay for daytime running.
Pros
- An integrated USB plug makes the light waterproof.
- Quick-release light
- Maintains consistent brightness and doesn’t dull when the battery does
Cons
- It’s not the best-looking rear light
Lumens: | 70 lumens |
Battery life: | Not given |
Charge time: | Not given |
Charge method: | Micro USB |
TOOO Cycling has this rear light with a camera installed recording a super wide 105-degree angle in full HD to record any mishaps that may happen while you’re riding. It’ll even record at night due to a Sony IMX 323 camera sensor, not letting the 80-lumen rear light get in the way. Videos can be downloaded to a mobile device or stored on an SD card.
Pros
- IPX5 water resistance
- Video Loop mode (loop recording) saves more than 24,000 minutes of film using a 128GB SD card (not included)
- Locks the current video file when it detects a collision
Cons
- An investment compared to others
Lumens: | 80 lumens |
Battery life: | Up to 9.5 hours |
Charge time: | Not given |
Charge method: | Micro USB |
![Garmin Varia RTL515 Rearview Bike Radar and Tail Light](https://images.bauerhosting.com/affiliates/sites/8/2022/10/Garmin-Varia-RTL515-Rearview-Bike-Radar-and-Tail-Light.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
www.wiggle.co.uk
A brilliant rear light from Garmin, the Varia is bright with daylight visibility up to a mile away, and it will also detect vehicles up to 140 meters behind you. The light will then communicate wirelessly with your Garmin Edge (it can also be connected to Wahoo bike computers) and send notifications to your smartphone.
Locking securely into its bike mount, the vertical shape of the light remains aerodynamic and provides the rider with added information about what’s behind.
Pros
- Detects what is behind you
- 220 degrees of light angle
- IPX7 water rating
Cons
- Need a bike computer or innovative phone mount to see what’s behind you
Lumens: | 80 lumens |
Battery life: | Up to 9.5 hours |
Charge time: | Not given |
Charge method: | Micro USB |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I mount my bike lights? Generally, front bike lights are mounted to handlebars and rear-mounted to the seat post. Getting mounts to which your front light and bike computer attach is possible - this means your handlebars are less crowded.
Does it matter which light is at the front? Lights on your bike should be set up the same way as a car, with red lights at the back and bright white lights at the front. This way, any other road users will be able to tell instantly whether you are facing towards or away from them.
Are bike lights a legal requirement? No, the bare minimum a bike should be sold with is reflectors and a bell to comply with the law. While they're not a legal requirement, we consider them an essential purchase for anyone riding a bike, especially early in the morning, evening or at night.